Both hands rest, palms down, on the counter behind her. They were talking about starting a war. About being the start of one. And not just a mortal war, but a war against and of the gods. There would be massive casualties on both sides. The thought has Ptolema wishing Selene was there. She would know what to say, what to do. âIâm with you both on this, whatever you decide. But think long and hard about what these decisions will lead us down.â She faces the original phoenix. âEspecially you, Petrichor. This will lead to a lot of death. More than just what the destruction of the Veil caused. When the gods fight, they are not the only ones to die.â
She sighs, âAs for genasi, Corinth is crawling with them. It wonât be hard to find one willing to help.â She pauses. âNot Dante. Our nephews have been through enough at our hands.â She thinks of Anders and the promise she made. âHave either of you spoken with them?â
âYouâve died before, brother.â Petrichor commented, âI would think that you would be used to it by now.â He would not let anything happen to Fenrir, over a thousand years they had been apart and now that he was back on this plain there was nothing that would separate the siblings again. âYour norns foresaw your death, but they said nothing of us.â He looked to Ptolema now, âWhatever happens we will stand at your side. VĂðarr be damned.âÂ
âIâm not afraid of bloodshed, Iâll help those who deserve it, and those who stand in our way will have fire to answer to.â The phoenix said simply, he still considered himself above killing, but when it came to his family there was little that he would not do now. âValkyrie might be inclined to help, sheâs powerful enough too.â Petrichor added, though how willing the woman would be to participate was another question entirely. âI healed Anders when he came to the city, but I have not seen him since. Why?â Petrichor could not help but ask but there was something further. âI need to tell you both something. Selene, sheâs back. Gabriel and Penelope resurrected her from Elysium, he told me that sheâs staying with her now.â
âDeath is definitely no stranger,â he murmured, meeting Petrichorâs gaze. When Ptolema spoke, he did not take his gaze away from his brotherâs face. The phoenix would be reborn even if he met his death, but there was the greater risk of leaving this world and life behind when he had just began to build it. âThatâs true â you have your own fates, Ptolema, too. But I know that I will do my best to keep you both safe before I can take down the gods.âÂ
Fenrir hummed, thinking of Valkyrie. She was his dear friend, but her involvement was not written. Not for the side of the dead, but for the side of Odin, perhaps. After all, the warriors she had led to Valhalla would meet their end with him â and he didnât want to include Valkyrie among them. âHer fate might be written with Odinâs, Petrichor. Going against it would be â less than ideal. Especially for someone like her, no matter the hand Loki had in bringing her here.â He looked up at the mention of Dante and Anders, and he knew the truth behind the pointed question, âAnders is a vampire. I could smell the death on him when he comes to visit Dante.â Fenrir then turned his attention to Petrichor, his heart skipping a beat in his chest, âHow is that possible?â