User:Arrow Quivershaft/Gathering the Team

It was the morning of the 20th. Dawn and I’d made good time from Corinth, even pushing a bit after dark during the night, using some stealth. Just being by myself really helped in a few ways. We were coming down the mountain, approaching the edge of the grove by now. I had the data from the archives tucked down deep in my pack to protect it, and was carrying two copies. I’d also tried to memorize some of it when I had time.

I had spoken to Dawn of my dream the night of the 18th, and she had listened, and offered her opinion that it sounded like a vision...that it might be Nick’s soul going to the Underworld. But she admitted it was a total guess, and neither of us could really do anything without getting to the grove. It still ate at me in the back of my mind, what I’d seen, but that was all it could really do. I just hoped it wasn’t true what I’d seen...but I had a nagging feeling that it was all too real.

As we reached the edge of the grove, Blossom was there waiting for us. Dawn saw her from her orbit above, and swooped down to land next to me. I didn’t like the feel of this, but I didn’t have much option. I waved to Blossom as I approached, feeling suitably grim.

Blossom’s expression was as dark as my thoughts. “Welcome back,” she greeted us, but without her customary enthusiasm.

"Hello, Blossom. Are you well?" I said. I waited for her answer, expecting fears to be confirmed.

"Well enough." she said, clearly trying to dismiss the question. "Did you find anything?" she asked bluntly. She was...all business. Very direct and to the point.

"We didn't hire any mercenaries, no.” I stumbled a bit, taken aback by Blossom’s directness. “We got some news that we figure was a bit more important..." I went straight to the point. "Is Nick alright?"

Blossom shook her head. "No, he is not, His fate is trying to be decided right now."

"I expected about as much..." I said, trying to sound confident; if I sounded uncertain, Blossom would be completely deflated. So that was his soul I’d seen...he would be in the Underworld. Fate being decided...what did that mean?

"That is why we must leave very promptly if we are to get to him in time." Blossom said with a nod. All business, indeed.

"That's the same that I thought.” Another bluff. “I got some extra supplies for the trip." That was true.

"Do you have guide to Hades?" Blossom asked, again, very directly.

I took a deep breath. "I took the liberty of getting one, yes."

"Which is to say, me." Dawn said to Blossom. I nodded in agreement.

Blossom looked at Dawn, quirking a brow but just shook her head without saying anything. "Then, should we get ready to go?" she asked.

"We should, yes.” I agreed. “Need to get there before they make a decision."

"They won't." Dawn said.

I looked to Dawn. "Explain, please?"

Blossom nodded in agreement with Dawn. "They are confused by him.”

"I mean it. Time gets stretched and folded down there, and they take longer to decide anything than is comprehensible." Dawn elaborated. "That's why you don't ask them for anything. By the time the fates decide that you can borrow a toy, you already need dentures."

I nodded slowly, understanding. Somewhat. I’m used to time being a fairly constant thing, I guess. Luxuries.

"I still want him out of there soon, he does not deserve such a place as that." Blossom said.

"We've got a body, we've got a decision snarl... We might just have a real shot to make this happen." Dawn sounded...maybe just a touch enthusiastic.

"I am still troubled by something...I have been thinking about it since yesterday." Blossom said.

"Ok...what is it?" I asked.

"If Nick is down in Hades realm, where is Nkosi?" Blossom asked.

"That, I can answer...he's dead." I confirmed.

"I know that,” Blossom said, somehow politely. “I meant his half of Nicks soul...is it back where it belongs?"

"Oh...I don't know that." I said, looking to Dawn. She wingshrugged.

"Then perhaps we will have to ask, once we go there." Blossom resolved.

"He might be in the Egyptian Realm, they might be together; that's a good idea." I said. What else could I say?

Blossom shook her head. "No, my dream told me where to find Nick, he is under Greece."

"The Underworld." I stated.

Blossom nodded. "Yes."

"Dream?" Dawn asked, eyeing me.

"Yes, from Selene." Blossom nodded.

"I don't quite follow." Dawn said.

"My dream showed Nick standing in a room with a bunch of others, as his fate was being decided by these fates and another person." Blossom explained.

I browquirked. "That matches up with what I've heard sometimes..." And seen in the archives.

Dawn was the realist. "Alright... So what do we /do/ now that we know this?"

"We collect our things and head for the Hades realm." Blossom stated simply.

"Easier said than done, Blossom." I said, a bit edgily.

"Why is that?" Blossom asked.

I looked to Dawn, hoping she’d back me up a bit. "Monsters, for one. There will most likely be fighting."

"Yes, and I do not foresee a problem with that. You have been there before, yes?" she asked me.

The confidence was cute, but worrying. "No. I have not been to the Underworld yet. Dawn has, though."

"You don't see a problem with fighting for your life?" Dawn asked seriously.

"My life isn't important, Nicks is.” Blossom stated. “Is there not a way we can go around the monsters or be granted an audience?"

"You don't want an audience with them." Dawn said. "By the time they decided whether to grant us an audience, we'll all be dead of old age."

"Alright, can we go around the monsters?" Blossom pressed.

"Not really." Dawn said, shaking her head.

"Then there is no alternative." Blossom said, crossing her arms.

"One stormwing might not cut it." Dawn noted, seeing where Blossom was going.

"Then we shall bring Alex with us." Blossom nodded.

"That's the stormwing that won't cut it." Dawn explained patiently.

"Then why did you not hire mercenaries?" Blossom asked.

"There's just as many available in Corinth or Sparta as Lecci.” Dawn said, sounding a bit exasperated.

"Then we shall hire some there. Can we not discuss this on the way?" Blossom said, clearly impatient.

Dawn looked at me. It was nice to still have her in my corner.

I paused, considering it. "We can. If you desire to go." I said.

"I do desire that, yes. I will not stand by and do nothing if i can help." Blossom resolved.

I nodded. I couldn’t blame her...I’d have done the same if it was my parents or Dawn. "Then we shall pack and leave either today or tomorrow.” I said. “We’ll get Alex and get ready.” I started deeper into the glade, looking for the resident stormwing. Dawn nodded to Blossom, and followed along with me.