Despite being physically fine, emotionally Perseus felt as if he lost a fight. Not only were they now down an ally but her verbal attack struck a weak point and hit several of his personal insecurities. Although Victor did his best to try and clear his friend up, Perseus' motivation was at an all time low. Despite this he did his best to press forward and focus on his mission to rid the three cities of the criminal kingpin that ruled over its underground.
Perseus dived back into practice and distracted himself from the harsh words of his former ally and pressed forward. With the weather turning colder and the leaves turning colors it was closing in on the best time to fight the harvest god. Late fall and winter were the times when Demeter would be at its weakest given the mythology around the god that is stored in the weapon. Plus, since his weapon used ice, there was a chance that he could get an advantage just from the element he uses.
This was what Perseus tended to do whenever he was emotionally wounded. Focusing on a task with logic or strategy to distract himself until he could deal with the emotions later. He had a goal, a mission, and he wasn't going to allow it to fail simply because of what June said and the person she turned out to be. Unfortunately, the more he thought about it the more he was sure that they needed the numbers. Victor had told him not to try and get June to fight alongside them because it would lower the ability of the rest of the team to focus and fight as they couldn't trust her, and Perseus couldn't help but agree. However, he also couldn't help but feel they couldn't do this with just two fighters and a support.
Perseus took a break on his exercise to let out an exasperated sigh as he considered his options. “Even if it's just temporary, we kinda need another person on the team and I'm definitely not putting Victor in danger for a bluff.” Neptuna hummed and thought for a moment. “Well not every Armatus holder we've fought was working for MacGonagall. Some of those that were did so as a mercenary. Maybe we could find a way to reach out to Minato or even that Mariah woman. Susano'o and Jord are both front line melee types more like yourself so instead of two casters and a support backing you up you'd have a second front liner.”
Perseus shifted back and forth. “That would be a great idea if I knew how to contact either of them but it's not like I got their numbers.” Neptuna continued to think. “Well since both enjoy fighting one as a way of testing themselves and the other as exercise, maybe one will turn up once the crap hits the fan.” Perseus nodded and did a few stretches. “I think I'm done blowing off steam. I think it's time to gather the team and start doing the plan rather than sitting and talking about it. Odds are MacGonagall will have a few Armatus users on hand in addition to normal goons so this definitely won't be easy.’
Neptuna nodded. “Nothing worth doing ever is.” Perseus called the rest of the group including Victor for a meeting and they gathered at his place. “Okay, so after taking some time to consider our options I think it's best to continue as planned despite being down a fighter. The three of us will have to be enough or hope we draw in another Armatus user that's willing to side with us during the fight.” Victor gestured with his hand. “What am I doing for this plan? I want to help too.” Perseus looked at his friend. “Unfortunately, without an Armatus, all bringing you with us would accomplish is put you in danger.”
Victor thought for a moment. “What if I snuck around the outer walls, taking out regular mooks and setting off fire alarms? I could trigger the sprinklers like day one and you can use them to your advantage just like then.” Perseus thought for a moment then nodded. “That'll work well, just be careful not to get shot. You're not as light on your feet as I am.” Victor chuckled. “Well with you as a distraction I don't have to be.” Perseus smiled, him and his friend of the same mind. He gave his soul brother a full arm handshake. “Let's do this thing.”
With their plan of attack revised there was nothing left but to do it. The four traveled to the warehouse district of New Haden to a set of warehouses and greenhouses all gathered together that belonged to Gregory MacGonagall. Once out of the vehicle at a safe distance away from the buildings they quietly approached the largest building in the center of the ones under the minor mob boss's control. All of them seemed to get into the building unnoticed and once inside Perseus made a few hand motions signaling for Victor to move, hugging the wall.
Once inside and positioned the other three moved inward ready to knock out some guards and cause a ruckus. Perseus snuck up on and kicked out one of the guards with Hector able to do the same, Jaclyn however wasn't as lucky and made a lot of noise as she took out her target causing other guards to look at them. “Intruders!” One shouted as they tried to open fire. The three all summoned their weapons quickly and used them to stop any incoming bullets before taking the fight to the guards who stood little chance as they were knocked out with ease and boxes of stashed drugs were splintered.
Weed, mushrooms, and even some peyote spilled onto the floor. Perseus scratched his head. “No tobacco, poppy, or even grain and hops for booze? Then again booze and tobacco are legal so that at least makes sense.” He whispered mostly to himself. Alarms blared as more men with regular guns started coming out of the woodwork with one person who clearly wasn't an ordinary goon stepping out. “Looks like it's time for the hired help to earn their keep.” Then he jumped off a raised catwalk above the group and into the main area. “Yee haw!
The man was dressed like a wild west cowboy with a dark brown leather vest over a button up shirt and jeans paired with heeled leather boots with the spurs and embroidery on the boots and vest. The man ran his index on the brim of his cowboy hat and adjusted it. “It's not quite high noon and this isn't a duel, but I'll put ya six feet under jus’ the same. Let's start this rodeo, The Shotguns of the Sky Hunter God, Horus!” The cowboy reached out his hands as wind and lightning gathered to form two sawn-off double-barrel shot-guns.
A memory from his last life flashed briefly before Perseus' mind and he smiled. “Is that you Crow? Seems strange for Horus to pick your reincarnation, but I'd recognize that stance anywhere.” The man adjusts his hat with one of the guns. “Not Crow, jus’ a fan o’ his work. Though the fact ya know he had Horus must mean you're the reincarnation of Bill, this time with the Sea God at your side. This'll be interesting. Too bad we can't have an old fashioned duel, I'd like to see who's the quicker draw.”
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Then a second person takes a leap from the catwalk, dressed in all black robes. “Hades.” They call out as they summon a two bladed scythe. A pale woman with white hair in a ponytail wearing a white kimono with blue patterns followed quickly bringing out a large tenderizing hammer with an ice pack spike on the back. “Chione! I was hoping to rematch Hecate and Nyx, but just Nyx will have to do.” Finally a fourth person jumped from the catwalk.
It was a woman with lightly tanned skin the color of baked sand, she had her hair dyed blond with dark roots showing styled in a short fohawk with the sides shaved down. She wore what looked like a one piece swimsuit with light tan lines on the side under the arm's natural rest position breaking up the brown main color that was the front and back. The top’s top part was split and held together with laces like something you'd see one of those female ninjas in a fighting game wearing. She reached out her hands that had long metal talons on her index fingers. “Now sting, Serqet!” Her weapon manifested, two vambraces with a moving joint connected to sword-like blades that could move up and down like a scorpion's stinger on her forearms. The blades seemed to drip a green, likely poisonous liquid.
Perseus grumbled to himself. “Maybe I should have tried to talk June into coming after all.” Hector stepped forward and put a hand on Perseus' shoulder. “I know I was only supposed to be the White Mage, but I'll take Serqet.” Jaclyn nodded. “I'll take the ice witch, so that leaves the gunslinger and Hades.” Hector used his high speed to tackle the holder of Serqet off into the distance. Jaclyn then took a pot shot at Chione’s user and ran off with the pale woman giving chase. Perseus held his weapon as he looked at his two opponents. “Well it looks like it's two on one now.”
The robed figure laughed. “You don't stand a chance in Hades. I could take you out by myself.” The cowboy scowled. “I'd rather have a fair fight, but you can't always get what you want.” he spun the guns in his hand before firing scatter-shot rounds at Perseus who had to create a barrier to block, leaving his back open for the robed figure to appear in his shadow behind him. Perseus spins to block but since he's not concentrating on the barrier it quickly starts wearing down. Perseus is forced to retreat from his position and attempt zoning tactics as he tries to keep his distance.
It took everything he had just to block and dodge attacks as both attackers continued their attacks. With no openings to attack it started to seem like Perseus would lose the fight without so much as getting a hit in. However, after several minutes of playing keep away, everyone and everything suddenly stopped as alarms blared throughout the building. The three all collectively stopped to look around for a few seconds when the sprinkler system suddenly started going off. Perseus smiled. “Exactly what I've been waiting for. Are you ready for this Neptuna?”
Neptuna nodded and gripped the trident with both hands trying to activate Unison, but couldn't seem to do so. “(Oh god, it really was a fluke. Why can't I activate it again? What's messing with our synchronization?)” Perseus looked at Neptuna and raised an eyebrow. “What… are you doing?” Neptuna looked at him a bit confused. “What do you mean, I'm trying to use Unison.” Perseus chuckled. “That's not what I was trying to do. I was trying to ask you to watch my back and make this a two on two. To have you manipulate the existing water like you did that first day. Can't exactly do that if you're fused with me.”
Neptuna facepalmed and hovered to Perseus' back. “Right, my bad.” “(Right, a different kind of synchronization, fighting together but separate. That's why I couldn't Unison, it was on his end.)” Perseus entered a combat stance once again as he planted his feet firmly in the water from the sprinklers and shouted over the alarm. “Come at me!” The alarm sounds were then cut but the lights and sprinklers continued. The two pulled themselves from the momentary distraction and got ready to return to double teaming their opponent.
The cowboy got in just close enough to take two shots but stayed just out of reach of Perseus' weapon. Once again he had to create an ice barrier, only this time he slid to the side right after trying to make an overhead strike on the cowboy and leaving himself seeming open. The robed figure came out of a shadow behind Perseus and slashed his two bladed scythe at his back confident he successfully snuck up on him this time.
However, despite the fact he didn't even look, Perseus froze the water at the figure's feet and messed up his footing causing him to miss. “What, but how? Did you hear my splashing?” Perseus didn't respond verbally, simply smiled as he now knew Neptuna was watching his back and protecting it so he couldn't be flanked anymore. Perseus could now focus entirely on the cowboy who barely dodged the overhead strike. “Hope you don't mind if I project some of my frustrations on another cowboy on you instead. I could really use a way to blow off steam.”
The cowboy's eyes widened as Perseus continued to press the attack, forcing him to block with his weapons. The robed figure tried to break the pressure but every time he got close he was pushed back by ice spikes within his opponent even having to look. One strike, two strike, three strike. Suddenly the water he's stepping in pulled at his feet and caused him to start falling. Perseus swung hard downward, hitting him on the head and knocking him out.
The rube figure grumbled and growled as Perseus turned his full attention on them. “How are you even doing that?! I can move through the shadows without sound and yet you are somehow able to fight on two fronts without even having to look at me.” Perseus smiled. “Simple, unlike you, me and my friends know how to fight as a team and not just temporary allies. Now it's two on one in my favor, because Neptuna is more than just a weapon or a tool to me. She's a sister-in-arms who fights at my side.”
The figure gripped his weapon tighter till their knuckles turned white. “You're the only tool around here with your sentimental garbage!” They charged at Perseus and swung hard, their weapon oozing black sand that struck out at Perseus, hitting him despite him blocking the scythe itself. Blood leaked onto Perseus' outfit from small cuts throughout his body. “(It's a good thing I didn't wear the new one today.)” Perseus pushed back and made ice spikes erupt out of the water in rapid succession, forcing the figure backwards.
The figure let out a roar of frustration and started to fire shadowy black rocks at Perseus from a distance attempting to use zone tactics only to switch to kite maneuvers by rushing in and out. Every shot hit a spike and every time the figure tried to get in melee range he was blocked by spikes. All the while Perseus simply held his weapon pointing downward and slowly, calmly walked towards the figure. Slowly the figure was backed into a corner, literally and figuratively.
Perseus reached out with a hand and pulled down the robe to see a surprisingly feminine face. They had short black hair, black eyeshadow, eye liner, and lipstick to match. They had several piercings in their ears, nose, and lips. “You're… a woman?” the figure's former confidence seemed to melt. “N-no. I'm a… I'm a man! And before you ask, I was born a man. I'm not a woman!” They let out a soft sob and repeated more softly. “I'm not a woman.”
Perseus tilted his head and slowly reached out with his left hand as his right held the weapon and lightly brushed the side of the figure’s face, brushing their hair to the side. “No, I suppose not. If you were you'd have likely called for Pluto since the gender swapped personas of the Greek gods use their Roman names or a deviation of them. But… maybe you aren't exactly a man either? If you are, that's okay too. You don't have to follow the masculine stereotype to be a man, you can have a feminine side or feminine tendencies. You don't even have to identify with either gender or with both. You're still young, still figuring out who you are. Once you've done that, you shouldn't have to feel like you need to hide it. If someone in your life can't love the real you, then you probably don't need them in it.”
The figure let out another sob and dispatched their weapon and gave Perseus a hug. “Oh gods, I've been hiding for so long. Staying in the shadows afraid to be seen. But you… you see me and…” They let out another soft sob, Perseus patting them on the back. “Let it all out, it's okay. Now tell me, what is your name?” The figure pulled away, wiping the tears and running mascara off their face. “My name… is Samhain. And I… I'm not a woman, but not exactly a man either.”
Perseus gives them a pat on the shoulder with a smile. “That's a beautiful name, and regardless of what you identify as, you are valid. Now get out of here before I knock you out. These hands are rated E for everyone.” Samhain nodded, wiped more tears away, and vanished into the shadows. Perseus looked up at the sprinklers still going off like a constant rain. “God’s speed Samhain. God's speed.”
