The Power Of Ancient Greece

[babygurll1968]

Jayda followed the others as they reached the clearing and the camp. Her eyes keeping a sharp watch on Xavier and Nikkos. She still had not figured them out entirely. Ava and Medea she had no suspicions about. She wattched as Medea tried to ignite the cool embers to no avail. Jayda slid onto a small log and pulled her cloak tighter around her. Reaching up she pushed her hood off letting her face and hair free. Her hand snuck up under her cloak and rubbed the trident armband upon her upper arm,finding some comfort in its feel.

"The family that raised me always told me that when the time is right,my purpose here would be revealed. I had a dream several weeks ago about a journey with a group of people like myself. The battle I could not see,I did dream of terrible fates if not stopped.'She said in her faint whisper to the others.

"I bear the mark of Poseidon and he told me each person I am looking for would bear a mark of their own."She said moving slightly,her hand raising her short dress and revealing on the outer side of her right thigh a trident brand. The Mark of Poseidon.

She then quickly lowered the dress. "I can summon the element of water. It can be as large as a sea or as small as a tear drop. As long as there is some moisture...but I cannot control it most times. My display back at the tavern is example of that."She finished her hushed whisper and lowered her head,hiding her expression.

 

[FaeBites]

Eris purred happily from his new position, the warmth of Medeas skin pleasing him greatly. When they entered the clearing, and he watched Ava’s display, his nose crinkling in amusement. As Medea strained for her power, Eris found her skin becoming to hot for comfort, and pounced off, hearing the rustle of potential dinner he stalked into the bushes, leaving the odd group of humans together. Ava was unaware of Medeas discomfort, once again a sign of how unused to human contact she was. She seemed to get excited as the wood began to smoke, her wide eyes returning to the woman as it failed, and she apologised.

The young woman was immediately sympathetic though, her head tilting in curiosity at her words. “There are always things to feel.” Ava moved closer, her eyes glittering with the topic. “The dew drops on the grass, the wind through your hair, the roughness of bark or the softness of fur. The world is created with things to feel!” She was distracted by Jaydas words, eyeing the brand with interest, she scampered over, sitting before her. With a sweep of her hair over her face, she revealed the back of her neck, and the discoloured skin in the shape of a proud stag. “Artemis marked me similarly! Though I am gifted with the ability to take the form of any animal, understand and talk their languages and take control over their senses and bodies if needed.” She shrugged, letting the mess of black hair fall back over her neck. “Atleast, that what I have discovered so far. When I lose control-” the word died on her tongue. The sound of screaming and the taste of blood enveloped her senses. Her happiness faded into torment, and she said no more. Her hand stroked through the blades of grass, the coolness of the night barely registering, intill she noticed someone shiver. Then she found her voice again.

“I will change shapes for warmth, any who are cold merely have to stay close.”

With that the large black bear retook the woman’s features, heat indeed radiating beneath the thick fur. She laid beside the scorched campfire, rolling around in till she was comfortable, her large head resting on an equally large paw. Eris returned from his hunt, crawling onto her back and sitting comfortably between her shoulder blades, cleaning himself.

 

[Bsquad]

Xavier hadn't hung about after he'd heard Medea's words that she coudln't make a fire. Though he had been drilled to be a member of an encampment with each man doing his specific part, he was still a soldier and he knew how to make a camp in the wilderness. He slipped away from them with a swish of his scarlet cloak, moving through the trees and picking up pieces of stray wood and twigs. It was difficult to make his way through the woods, but the moon was bright and before too long he had gathered an arm-full of wood and returned, watching Ava transform into a bear. He binked and shrugged, taking the transformation in stride as he walked into the center of the clearing and kneeling down next to the small fire circle.

He swept aside the remnants of the simple fire, and piled logs in a small triangle, placing dried leaves and a handfull of dreid moss next to it, laying dried twigs as tinder. Some of the logs he'd had were wet, but once the fire began it wouldn't be an issue. His hand fell upon a small knife that was hidden by the scabbard for his Xixili. Drawing it out to glint in the moonlight, he withrew a small stone and swept it against the cheek of the blade, sending sparks showering the tinder. With two swipes the tinder had caught and moments after the fire had spread to the rest of the wood, creating a flickering and bright flame that illuminated the mismatched group.

This close to the fire, it was the first time that any of them could get a good look at Xavier that wasn't a half glimpsed motion. He wore a bronze breastplate, dulled from time and marred by the scrapes and dents of years of combat...and boasting a small scrap of scarlet cloth that covered a gaping hole over his heart. Besides that he wore little in the way of traditional attire, no toga, no shash, instead a pair of strange wrappings around his legs...atire that was more suited to the barbarians of the far north than a proper civilized man. His scarlet cloak wrapped back around him, hiding his breastplate and weapon from their gaze...but not his brutally scarred face, neck, arms and hands.

"A skill that is suprisingly...rare." Xavier said quietly, sitting cross legged before the fire and holding his cloak close to his body, staring into the growing flames without interest. He looked up at Medea suddenly a smile on his face...then glanced at Jayda.

"But then gifts can be like skills, something that needs to be refined before it can be used readily." His voice had that edge of a soldier again, that disturbing switch as though two people were inside of him...one a veteran soldier, the other a tired and aged man.

 

[monique_minx]

Medea watched Xavier, embarressment spread on her face as he lit the fire manually and without assistance though maintained modesty over his skill.

"I feel pretty useless, you all seem to have better control over your powers than I do... I'm marked too."

She watched the other women show their marks and took a small knife from her quiver which was discarded on the ground. Medea took the knife and slit a small hole through her dress on the right side, she dropped the knife and held the slit open for them to see. Just above her hip was a small birthmark like shape of a spear.

"Mark of Ares, he's different than I thought he would be...of course...he only came to me in a dream..." Medea finished in a mumble but then brightened as she thought of a question, "How did the Gods appear to all of you? Was it in a dream too?"

She wondered if any of them had actually met their Gods and remembered that Xavier must have, he'd died once upon a time after all! Medea moved closer to the fire but her void feelings made it recoil from her, she sighed and stepped back; having no desire to kill the flames for the others.

"I meant emotional feelings Ava, I have no emotion and the fire seems to...like my emotions or something...it feeds on it and recoils if I don't feel right to it. The fire has life of it's own..." Medea spoke of the fire as though it were a living creature and her eyes danced with the flames, an orange glow appearing in them.

The fire leaped across the camp at Medea, she was shocked at this; she'd never seen the fire cross such a far area to be a part of her but quickly kept her head as the flames twined into her hair. They never burnt anything attached to her body...just her clothes and quite a few bows! The fire seemed happy, it made shapes and reflected the other's; it depicted a waterfall cascading down Medea's hair for Jayda, a ball of fiery energy for Nikko, a bear for Ava and as it came to Xavier it fizzled out momentarily before springing to life again.

"I really have to stop loving my fire!" Medea gasped, laughing at the expressions on each of their faces.

 

[babygurll1968]

Jayda took a deep breath at her question and stared into the fire Xavier had built. Her memories came rushing back to her of that day. "I was sailing with my parents when a storm blew up. The ship we were in was destroyed and all of us tossed into the waves."She began softly as she raised her eyes to look from all of them out into the trees.

"I remember sinking into the dark depths and then he appeared. he touched my cheek and told me I was his chosen,I was to live. I woke up on a beach and a fisherman found me..they raised me since I was 5 years old. I knew from a young age I was different. I lost my parents in the wreck and had no siblings that I know of."She said as her eyes misted slightly.

She pulled her cloak tighter around her and stood up,walking to the edge of the treeline. The call of the nearby lake calling to her. She had always sought comfort around the sea and now she felt adrift in her newfound journey. She left the group and moved quickly to the edge of the nearby lake. Sitting down next to the water she trailed her fingers along the rippling movements,the water seemed to dance around her fingertips.

 

[amchentai]

Nikkos wondered where Xavier was headed but soon got his answer as he returned not long after with a arm full of fire wood. With no trouble at all he was able to make a roaring camp fire, and soon the others settled in around it.

Not long after Medea moved closer and the fire seemed to duck away from her and so she moved back, and the fire returned to normal. A moment later a flame shot from the fire and over to Medea and then took shape for each of of the others. waterfall cascading down Medea's hair for Jayda, a ball of fiery energy for Nikko, a bear for Ava and as it came to Xavier it fizzled out momentarily before springing to life again.

Jayda spoke and after so she headed off. Nikkos thought about following her but thought he should share to the others first.

He took in the others as they each showed their marks placed on them by the gods. Nikkos held up his hand and made a fist, on the top of his hand a shield is seen. "Athena has only come to be in dreams, often after one of my foster families dies..." He didn't like thinking about it, but then again who would. "Since I was young I've been moved around from family to family, each time after about a year or so something horrible happens." He looks into the fire as he continues to speak. "Horse fires, cave ins, floods........ " He trialled off. Remembering the loss of each of them and not understanding why he was spared each and every time. "Even after the goddess Athena explained to me it doesn't make sense... "He looked at the others who had power. "I mean... You all have power..."

He looked at them and held up a field about the size of a plate, the clear field flickering with the fire. "I've got this, and I can't even control it that well..." He wasn't sure what he could do with his power other then deflect things, and even then then he could't make it more then a bubble even at his best.

 

[Bsquad]

Xavier sat facing the fire, watching the flames before him dance at will. Of course, it was strange that Medea could mainupulate it. But just the same, Jayda could manipulate water, Ava could change into any animal...and Nikkos, he could see the futures and possiblities of Fate...and protct himself. Only Ava seemed to be able to control herself to any degree. Medea struggled the most, while Jayda seemed to be unsure of her own abilities, and Nikko's abilities seemed to be those of an oracle more than anything else. The Spartan continued to stare into the fire, considering himself quietly. He didn't have powers like theirs. He might be immortal, he might be indestructable, but he could not make flame dance at his command, or turn water into his servant, or see the future.

But he had his skills. The training of a Spartan was rigorus, rigorirus to the extreme. In Sparta, every man and woman was subservient to the state, they owed their lives to that entity and because of that from birth you were trained that death in battle and service to Sparta was the highest honor. His eyes widened slightly. Perhaps that was why the gods had chosen him? There had been few better trainers in the ranks of the Spartans...he had taught his sons well.

...the shock of that emotion was still enough to burn his heart. They had been full grown when he had marched with his king to the Hot Gates. They weren't children, they were men with wives of their own. But still, a father never quite stops seeing his sons as the children that they had been. But that had been centuries ago, they had fathered sons, and those boys had fathered sons, and so on...and his sons were long dead. The greatest pain that a father can ever feel is the knowledge that you've outlived your sons. He forced himself to remain stoic and calm, letting the others see his sorrow would be beneath him. He swallowed hard before he opened his mouth to speak.

"I've trained Spartans, long ago. If you desire, I could help you all master yourselves. The abilities of my warriors are nothing beyond those of any man or woman to learn, discipline, endurance, strength...all can be learned...earned, if you are willing to work for them." He said, listening to his voice and satisfied that he sounded calm and level.

 

[amchentai]

Nikkos thought for a moment before he turned to Xavier about his offer. "Yes I'd like to learn how to use my power, and how to fight... As it is now I have nothing to offer you all when the war brakes out..." He sighed, Athena promised she'd tell him more, he only hoped it would be soon.

He wondered about his power, Athena told him it would serve as his sword and his shield, but how? He sat for a moment lost in thought and then remembered Jayda had left the group. He put his other thoughts aside for now and stood bowed to the others and went after Jayda to see if she was alright.

It took him a moment after leaving the light of the fire for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. He went the same way Jayda had a few moments ago and after a short time and almost giving up he heard the sound of water. It was faint but he knew he was going the right way now.

After leaving the tree line he saw the lake and soon spotted Jayda near the waters edge. "Hey.. I hope I'm not intruding." He said and smiled. "I just wanted to make sure you were alright. You left kinda suddenly.." He added and watcher her finger trace across the waters surface.

 

[babygurll1968]

Jayda raised her head to look up at Nikkos as he approached,her fingers left the water. the water seemed to follow their movements and made a thin pillar from her finger tips back to the water. She nodded her head as she stood slowly. "I am fine,sometimes I need to solitude of the water to ease my troubled mind."She spoke softly to him,her eyes not meeting his as she spoke.

"I find solice in the water,it helps me stay grounded. I miss my home and the freedom to be myself."She said moving away from the water's edge to sit on a tree stump. Her blue eyes light blue eyes finally rose to meet his,they seemed to shimmer from her time spent near the water.

"Tell me,my new friend,what drew you to this place. I know we have all had dreams and visions but each one seemed different for each of us."She asked him softly watching him and his movements carefully. Her hand always close to her daggers,never really trusting anyone or their reasons.

 

[amchentai]

His gaze locked with Jayda for a moment before he turned away. "Every since I was young terrible things have happened to the people of my village. My family died when I was just too young to remember. But they say I was found in what remained of our house, protected by some type of invisible bubble. Since that day I'd been move from family to family among my village.. And every time after a year or so something horrible would happen to those who took me in, and again I'd be found protected by some unknown power..."

He looked over the water as he spoke, feeling like those things that happened were his fault. "The goddess promised if I went and seek out those like me those horrible things would stop befalling those in my village.." He turned back to look at her. "I was also told I'd learn more about the power that keeps me protected.. And learn how to use it."

A long moment passed where he just thought about it all as he took in Jayda even though she had her cloak wrapped around her. He blushed and turned away at the thoughts that passed through his head for a moment.

 

[monique_minx]

Medea neglected to answer, entranced by the fire as it lept from her hair to her hand and wound vines around her wrist; vines of glowing orange fire. She slipped down from the rock and sat on the ground, the rest of the camp fire longed to be with her and tilted her way but she commanded it silently to stay put.

The viney fire around her hand was sent back to join it and Medea got up, she grabbed her bow and arrows; setting them aside so she could make some kind of bed. She had a bag with a bedroll of heather so she unfurled it and rummaged through her bag as she sat on her bedroll.

"Here..." She pulled out a small wedge of cheese and a huge chunk of bread, her cheeks reddened with embarrassment, "I know it's not much but if anyone is hungry..."

She set them down so the others could help themselves and put her bag down for a pillow. Medea laid down on it and watched the others, still in slight disbelief of everything that had occurred on the day.

"I don't think you can help me Xavier, I appreciate the offer but...you don't know what happens when I lose control. Back there? At the tavern? It could have been so much worse, let's just say we're all very lucky I managed to put it out in time..." She finished in a mumble, she clearly had no wish to tell them what happened when she lost control or what happened after she lost it.

 

[Bsquad]

Xavier sat in silence as the group slowy drifted apart to prepare for sleep. He remained where he sat, his eyes following Medea as she reached at the fire again, it was strange that he was so intrugied by anything at all anymore. His eyes followed the licking flames as they curled around her arm. His lips remained sealed. He wonderde about the measure of his compatriots, and he wondered just how he might manage to help them master themslves...each was different, each was unique, but all of them lacked control, discipline.

"So how do you think you'll survive if you don't master yourself?" Xavier said, speaking to Medea with the martial tone of a warrior. He stared at her, his silver eyes boring into her like a polished blades. The eyes didn't waver, the look in them pointed and bordering on accusing, as if he thought that the only reason she hadn't controled her powers was becasue she hadn't tried. He shifted his weight again, reaching behind him and pulling a bag from behind him, the small satchel of items and supplies that he kept to be ready for a long march. He withdrew a large roll of bread and set it next to the cheese and Medea's bread, and withdrew a hung of saltpork. It wasn't an exceptional feast, but it was a decent meal.

"Control stems from discipline Medea. Discipline." Xavier said, breaking a piece of bread off and taking a bite. On impulse he reached his arm out towards the flames and placed his hand into the licking flames. He'd long since learned to ignore pain to his body, a useful thing to go with his inability to die. He glanced up at Medea, those silver eyes of his flickering into a strange mixture of orange and yellow from the flames.

"What do you have to lose by trying? You'd have nothing more than what you began with if you fail, but if you suceed you'd be able to control it." Xavier said and removed his hand from the flames, wiping off the black char on his skin and displaying his healing skin to her.

"Do you want my help?"

 

[monique_minx]

She watched as his hand burned in the fire, the flames never seared her skin but she flinched away when it burnt him. He held his hand up to her and she watched the skin heal in amazement, she had never seen her flames cause a burn that was reversible before!

"Do you want my help?"

Medea turned away, she got up from her bed and grabbed a small bit of pork, some bread and stuffed it together. She ate it quickly and scowled at him, he spoke to her as though she was a small child! She got up in a huff, looking over her shoulder at him with a glare of pure unadulterated anger.

“Why do you think I would want the help of someone who speaks to me like a five year old?!”

She stormed off into the forest, when she got a decent distance and could no longer feel the power of the fire or see the camp; she stopped in a small clearing; breathing heavily and trying to control her anger.

“I love it when you’re angry…you call to me fiery one…” The voice was soft but strong and came from behind her, whispering hot breath on her ear.

Medea turned in shock, a wisp of white withdrawing from her shoulder and she saw Him, standing there leaning against a tree; arms crossed and staring at her intently.

“Ares?” She whispered in question.

He smirked and nodded, clad in black leather and standing a good strong 6’5” towering over her with jet black hair, smoothed back. He stood away from the tree, one hand pressed against the trunk of it as His other hand moved to his hip, the perfect pose and He looked so…attractive and captivating!

“You’ve been busy finding your place among the others Medea” He walked towards her, His hand reaching out and gripping her brown curls; He swung her around so her back was to Him again and whispered in her ear. “How are you finding it?”

She gasped and melted against His chest, she had never seen Him solid before…only ever in dreams so she was surprised!

“It’s interesting Sir, I never expected there were others before…” She whispered in return, swallowing her fears and anxieties.

“Yes…my brothers and sisters can’t help themselves but know that you are mine Medea and when you call…I will come…your anger calls me, your fire calls me…” He breathed into her ear, His hand snaking around her stomach and up her chest; He gripped her hand with the other and held it high. He kissed down it almost seducing her, she felt herself go limp against Him; the God of War paying such attention to the likes of her!

“I didn’t mean to call Sir…”

He grinned, “No but Hades’ pet has lived a long time, you will find he will treat you as a child because in comparison you are a child sweet one. “ He looked toward the silent forest in the direction of the camp and smirked, “speaking of…if you have need of me Medea…call fiery one…”

He vanished into white mists and Medea fell to the ground as Xavier appeared to her in the forestation, she looked up at him, wondering if he’d followed her or seen anything…

 

[Bsquad]

Xavier watched Medea's display impasively. As she ate he could see that she was aggrivated as she ate and then stood and stormed off. His face was impasive. She hadn't accepted his training or his guidance so he couldn't deal with her insubordiantion. She was a young child...so very young in the grand scheme of things. But just because he had lived for centuries didn't make him an older hand than any of the gods. They were immortal, he had merely been cursed by one to never die. As Medea stood and stormed off into the forest, he finsished eating casually, drank some water and leaned back against his tree, eyes closed but his hand on the grip of his Xili. His eyes were closed, but something called to his mind, he was not going to sleep...he had to rise and follow her. His eyes snapped open and he looked at the woodland path. With a wary eye he rose and started down it, following in Medea's footsteps, his leather sandals whispering along the dirt path. As he moved, he was as silent as death.

As he reached the clearing, he looked out and saw Medea standing there, a vague form leaning against a tree in the moonlinght. Xavier slowly shifted behind a tree and watched the conversation with a wary eye...one of the gods, there and speaking to his toy. Xavier's eyes narrowed and looked at Medea as Ares regared him and then vanished. The ancient spartan remained where he was, watching as Medea fell to the ground and then looked up at him, a glint of worry in her eyes.

"So you've called on your master then." Xavier said quietly walking into the clearing and looking down at her. Before she could rise, he knelt down and looked at her, closer to her level as he looked at her.

"It must be nice to have your God be so willing to adress you." He said, his voice sounding distant as he spoke to her, and his eyes drifting to look at the place that had been vacated by the God.

"Going to run off again?" He asked, looking back to the girl there on her knees.

 

[babygurll1968]

Jayda sat silent at Nikkos' Story,her heart went out to him,she knew the feeling of isolation. She raised her eyes to look at him,he seemed to be watching her as well. She felt the heat creep to her cheeks as she stood,letting her cloak fall around her.

"Im sorry,you must forgive me. I need to take a swim. I...I need time to sort my thoughts out."She said quickly as she moved towards the large lake she had just a few minutes ago been sitting next too.

Her body left the ground and a small splash was any idication of her entrance into the water. Her body suddenly felt alive once more as the watersc lsoed around her. She did not feel the coldness,only rejuvenation. Underneath the clear water her hair seemed to shimmer as if alive around her. Spreading out like a floating blanket around her as she swam through the water. She seldom needed to surface for breath ,but she could drown if under water too long.

She cut swiftly through the water until she came to the small isle set in the middle of the lake,pulling her body fron the water,she moved onto the dry land. Standing with her eyes closed she reached her arms upward towards the sky the outward to wave across the water she had just left. She spoke no words but the air still shimmered around her,her eyes now a deep dark blue. Her breath seemed to stop in her chest as she channeled Posiedon. She had never seen him but for that one fateful day,but she could feel him around her when she needed him.

Finally she blinked and her eyes slowly changed back to their lightness as she sank down onto the ground. Her fatigue suddenly settling over her,she looked back across the water and suddenly realised just how far she had swam out. She lay back on the ground knowing she no longer had the strength to swim her back across. She closed her tired eyes and gave in to the fact she would be stranded until the morning as her tiredness overtook her.

 

[monique_minx]

"Going to run off again?"

She listened to all of his words, trying to get her shaking body under control as she shook her head, trembling as Ares’ power finally started lifting its weight from her. He called Him her Master…she supposed He was…she had no control over Him and He most certainly had all power over her.

“No, I won’t run away…what do you mean? That’s the first time I’ve seen Him…before it was just in dreams and I didn’t mean to call for him…” She murmured, trailing off with her excuses and reasoning, remembering what Ares had said about Xavier.

“Xavier, how old are you really?” She asked curiously, a woman of only 21 and quite tender in a new world, the only thing that kept her safe were her powers and they really hadn’t been enough.

She looked up at the sky and started to stand up; she backed a step from Xavier, not liking the proximity between them as she barely knew him. Medea bit her lip and wondered why she hadn’t thought to ask Ares all the important questions like why the hell they were banded together in the first place! She lit her finger and started to walk back in the direction of the camp, slightly worried about being out here all alone with Xavier all of a sudden.

 

[Bsquad]

Xavier watched the girl with a weary eye. She was so young...so painfully young and so terribly naive. The gods merely used mortals as pawns. He looked at her as she slowly forced herself to stand. He ignored the comment about her not running...if felt very much like a denial of the truth to him, and he had long tired of such blatant refusal of the truth. He watched her as she rose to her feet unsteadily. He hadn't moved an inch, instead staying as stiff and still as a statue as he looked at her. Even as he waited there for her response, he could catch the unease she felt as she moved away from him. He knew that everyone felt some unease from him...either becasue of his eyes, his skills...or to these unique people...his age.

"How old am I? Three hundred and fifty seven years old Medea." Xavier said, his voice sounding as though he were being crushed by the weight of the years. Finally, he stood up, following Medea as she headed back to the camp. He stayed out of the small halo of light that was cast by her burning finger, merely remaining a darkened shadow following her along.

"You're young Medea...very young next to me. Your master was accurate in that." He said in a low whisper that barely carried from the darkness.

"You fear me." he said finally, the voice not weary, but the soldier once more.

 

[amchentai]

Nikkos picked up the cloak Jayda had dropped and just nodded as she swam off. He understood all too well, the need to be alone and collect one's thoughts. He himself had some thinking to do. And hoped the Goddess would soon reveal more to him about what was going on, but he got the feeling even if she did appear to him, the answers she would give would not be the ones he seeks.

On his way back to the camp he looked into the night sky and thought more, about why he was picked by Athena, or why bad things seemed to follow him. He shock it off for the moment, everyone had something they alone had to bear, and this was his problem, although he hoped the others would be safer then his past families had been.

Once he got back to the camp all he found was Ava there, he was going to ask her where the others had gone, but she looked to be asleep. He himself thought sleep might be a good idea so keeping as close as he could to the camp fire to keep warm, but not too close to set himself on fire lay down to try to fall asleep.

 

[monique_minx]

Medea listened to him as he spoke and continued to walk back to the camp, having a God’s power touch her had taken its toll and she was exhausted now.

"You fear me."

Medea looked at her feet for a moment as he said this before she looked up again to see where she was going and nodded slowly, “I suppose I do but then I don’t know you Xavier and I don’t really know what’s going on or why this is happening to all of us. I guess I will get used to it in time but I need the time to adjust.”

She explained as best as she could as the pair finally wandered back into the camp site, she let the flame from her finger extinguish and moved over to her bedroll again. She sat down on it and looked around noting that Nikko and Ava appeared to be sleeping but Jayda was nowhere to be found. She was puzzled for a moment but lay down on her heather roll and bunched her bag beneath her head as her eyes drifted closed.

~II~​

“You’ll be alright Medea…” There He stood, clad in the same leather she had seen Him in before but now she was in His domain, standing on the top of a great mountain the clouds seemed to swallow.

“Ares…Master I don’t understand…what are we for? Why are the four of us thrown together like this?” She whispered in question as His power brought her to her knees before Him.

He smiled and moved close, pulling her chin up to look Him in the eye, “Medea you’re chosen my sweet, all of you are chosen because you possess what is needed to be our warriors in the coming war.”

“War?” She asked nervously, “How do I possess traits for you Master? You are the God of War and surely I am anything but…”

He smirked and nodded, “My fiery one, you do possess the necessary traits believe me and you will discover them soon enough…as for the coming war, you four will battle on Earth for your Gods while the Gods fight in the Heavens…both grounds must be won Medea or else the balance will not shift in either favour.”

Medea shook her head as He released her chin, “I don’t understand…”

“You will fiery one…you will…” Ares faded from her sight and the mountain clouded over…

~II~​

Medea gasped and sat up, breathing heavily and blinking in the morning light as she looked around her, throwing her blanket aside and running her fingers through her chocolate curls.

 

[babygurll1968]

Jayda awoke the next morning,the pain that flared through the trident mark on her hip making her frown. her hand reached down the raise her dress,the brand burned brightly against her fair skin,"What the..'She whispered to herself standing. Her head whipped around as the waters of the lake churned and called to her. She stood and moved to the edge,her feet emerging up to the tops of her ankles.

The water cried out to her,the fear that flowed through the inhabitants of the watery depths. She closed her eyes and raised her arms outward calling to the water nymphs.They cried their fear at the approaching chaos,the ripples of despair filled Jayda. Her heart began to hammer in her chest,the feeling of being unable to draw in a breath became almost unbearable. Her body shimmered and her hair danced around her as she tried to call upon Poseiden..he did not answer her.

She dove into the waters her body slicing through the coolness,unfeeling as she swam back to the mainland. She pulled herself from the water and plunged into the forest back towards her group of new friends. She burst into the ragtag campsite and her eyes flashed the dark blue hue as her gifts manifested. Her breath heaved and she looked like a demon from the depths.

"Something is coming,the waters are afraid."She managed to gasp out as the brand on her hip flared painfully once more.

 

[Bsquad]

Xavier let Medea return to the encampment, leaving her pull ahead of him as he moved silently through the forest. Something in the back of his mind was whispering to him, an insistent little hiss that he had long since learned to trust. He knew that there was something that was going to happen this night, something more immedieate than any nebulous war or strife that was approaching. Xavier had always trusted that wispering voice, from his youngest days in the Igoki through his time in the service of Sparta...even to his death beside king Leonidas at Thermopalye. He had fought for centuries and the voice had always warned him of trouble.

Slowly leaving the rough path, he circled the encampment, making his way through the forest, slowly staking through the undergrowth, his hand resting on the hilt of his Xiliivi, slowly watching, seeking something. His sandal clad feet moved through the brush with a skill that had been borne of centuries of necessity. Xavier had been a member of the Spartan Holites, whose ability was to use a Holpin spear well, march in formation, and remain in a fight for as long as possible. Discipline, training, and the ability to follow orders...becoming a master of stealth, becoming a master single fighter, those were skills that he had to train himself in. He was an unrivaled warrior, and an unrivaled scout, which was why he had slowly moved along through the undergrowth down to the edge of the water. He could see something out there in the sea...a ship.

There were no lanterns lit aboard, and it was slowly making it's way in to the coast...a small bireme, not suitable for traveling in the harsher waters, but more than suitable for the coasts. He watched the ship with a wary eye, it was dark, and rarely if ever did sailors ply the seas in the hours of twilight. It was a small ship, maybe boasting a crew of ten, with space for ten passengers or a modest amount of cargo. It was possible it was a fishing vessel, or a courier...or a cargo ship.

But it wasn't.

Xavier crouched down in the undergrowth, watching the ship as it slowly came closer, heading for an isolated cove, beaching and the crew began to clamber down, assembling on the beach in what was an unmistakeable military order. He watched as the crew began handing down bundles and setting them on the beach. Xaviers eyes tracked each movement, counting numbers watching and waiting. He counted twenty of them, a reasonable amount of warriors. The bundles were unwraped and each man began to pull on armor and ready weapons. Five archers, the rest armed with short swords. Aparenty someone, somewhere had found them...and they were not planning on playing gently. Xavier slipped away and back to the encampment as the soldiers continued their preperations. He moved into the encampment and he heard Jayda's hurried cries.

He sliped from the forest behind her and nodded solemny, his voice had that tone of command once more, a man who knew his buisness and how to fight.

"She's right. Twenty men just beached a birme on the beach. Five archers, the rest with swords. I belive that they're the thing that the waters told Jayda was coming." Xavier said quietly, his hand still on his sword.

 

[monique_minx]

Medea was quickly woken by Jayda’s cries and rubbed her eyes, blinking quickly as she stood up. The others slowly getting to their feet, Medea looked around for Xavier but couldn’t see him anywhere until finally he popped out from behind Jayda and calmly strode forward.

"She's right. Twenty men just beached a bireme on the beach. Five archers, the rest with swords. I believe that they're the thing that the waters told Jayda was coming."

Medea gasped in disbelief, “They can’t be here for us can they?”

She was worried, she could barely control her powers so there was no way in Tartarus she could use them in a fight. Hell, she didn’t even know how to fight! Her bow and arrow were strictly for protective purposes, she wasn’t very confident in her abilities though they had helped her out of a scrape or two over the time. Medea bent and scooped up her bow and quiver, strapping them to her back protectively. She’d never gone anywhere without them and she wasn’t about to start now.

She looked at Xavier for the most part and then to Nikko before her gaze wandered worriedly over the other two women. Of the four of them; she quickly deduced that she would be no asset in a fight but rather a liability. Surely Ava could manage as she could easily transform into any animal she wanted to be and rip throats out. Jayda could drown someone from the inside out and Nikko could create earthquakes. Xavier was a skilled warrior with a rather large problem when it came to mortal death and who was she? A girl who played with fire and quite badly to say the least.

“Xavier, I can’t fight…” She said softly, concern etched into her tone.

 

[Bsquad]

Xavier looked around at the figures standing there, nervous, aprehensive and not prepared for a fight, talents or no. 'Gifts' from the gods or no, they were on their own, they weren't a team, they were just a group, thrown together, and powers or no, they would get slaughtered, he was the only soldier among them, and he needed to get them out of here. Xavier's eyes narrowed and he rolled his shoulders slightly, making his cape catch the light slightly and gleam crimson, a subtle reminder of just who he still was after centuries. A Spartan.

"Alright, I will go and distract them, eliminate as many as I can and draw them away. We'll have to disperse, whoever they are, they knew how to find us as a group. And I feel that they would be more inclined to follow me than any of you." Xavier said in that low voice of command.

"I'll move to eliminate as many as I can, Medea, I'll need your help to take care of a distraction, then we'll move away. All of us will meet in Dravenya. It's a small farming settlment north of Athens. Once there, we'll figure out our next move." Xavier said, leaving the rest unspoken...but still playing through his head.

'And see if we can't decide what's happening without meddling Gods.' He blinked hard and looked to Medea.

"Come child, let's see if we can't burn some of these creatures before they know we're there." He said with grim determination.

 

[monique_minx]

Medea was nervous as Xavier started to sketch out the game plan to all of them, she was no fighter, she came from a small peasant family who pronounced her a witch and were set to stone her to death before she ran away. A little skill with a bow was all that had kept her alive on the road but she was no soldier and she could barely control her powers at the best of times. Under a stressful situation? The Gods only knew what might happen.

"Alright, I will go and distract them, eliminate as many as I can and draw them away. We'll have to disperse, whoever they are, they knew how to find us as a group. And I feel that they would be more inclined to follow me than any of you."

Medea nodded in agreement, almost relieved that Xavier was taking charge and willing to throw himself on the line. After all, the man couldn’t die right?

"I'll move to eliminate as many as I can, Medea, I'll need your help to take care of a distraction, then we'll move away. All of us will meet in Dravenya. It's a small farming settlement north of Athens. Once there, we'll figure out our next move."

She gulped; he meant to bring her with him? Meant for her to assist with a distraction? She’d never been so uncertain of anything in her life as she was right now. What if she couldn’t do it? What was Xavier expecting from her?

"Come child, let's see if we can't burn some of these creatures before they know we're there."

She whimpered inwardly as she inclined her head and followed Xavier off into the forest with a last nod to the others. Medea trudged silently for some time after Xavier, trying to be as quiet as possible while the sounds of the warriors ahead grew louder.

“What do you need me for Xavier? What can I possibly do?” She whispered in a somewhat frightened tone of voice.