#gildedwar

"If I go down, I want you to run" theseus

Lost Meme -- @gildedwar

The Underworld was falling, and Nico knew this was the dreaded certainty of the oncoming tide. He couldn’t be exactly sure what had happened to his father at that point, nor exactly what had become of his elder brother Zagreus. Zagreus at least had some experience dying and being born again over and over, so Nico suspected that he would be okay, but if his father fell, if the entire realm of the Underworld fell, he wasn’t exactly sure what that meant. The Titan started clawing out of Tartarus not long ago, grabbing at whatever he could, wrenching himself from the abyss where he’d been scattered. And the rest of the Underworld had followed.

He’d made his way as far as Elysium, ragged scythe cuts marring the beautiful landscape for the blessed dead. Nico couldn’t be sure where Asterius was, his middle cramping at the thought, and the only one that stood in his way now was the dead, mortal king Theseus.

His own spear gripped in his hands, a muscle worked in Nico’s jaw at the order. Nico saw the wisdom of it. He hadn’t seen Hermes since this started, and if they were not able to stop Kronos’s march out of Elysium, someone had to get the word out of the Underworld of what had become of the realm of the dead. The rest of the Olympians had to know. But it went against everything in Nico’s core to flee if his training master fell.

Asterius didn't know what had compelled him to ask that of Theseus, but he did. Interrupting their speech about their purpose here to ask it. It just the first thing he thought to ask upon hearing why he was here. Hearing Theseus's answer though made no sense to him, yet he continued to listen. His head lifted at their proposal to go to Elysium, eyes glancing down to the discarded weapons.

Elysium.

He'd heard of that place when in line in the House of Hades (due to the confusion considering his half-human, half-animal form). The place of kings and heroes. A place he really didn't belong but was being offered refuge in. Again, confusion filled him. Why him? Theseus of all people knew all he had done, had killed him to stop it. Why should he get a place in Elysium? Why did Lord Hades agree?

He is called a man, a friend and Asterius could only give a humourless snort in response. He was neither. He'd tried to kill this man, how could he be called that? Black bovine eyes regard the axe and then Theseus again before laying his head back down, arms tucked in against his body.

"Why do you trust me? Why are you doing this?" He summed up his great confusion in these two questions, gaze now averted into the surrounding shadows.

I deserve to be here. Nowhere else. I am a monster.

After a pause, a softer murmur came.

Of all days to wake up naked, stranded on a beach with little to no memory of how he got there, this day was as good as any.

The sun was out - usually a bad thing, considering how long Dio might have been unconscious for, but his bare buns didn't feel too burnt this time - but the chill in air and the slight breeze tickling his skin let him know that it was still early yet. Or before midday, at least.

He hears the sound of footfalls shifting the sand somewhere near his head, and the god breathes a deep sigh which he very quickly regrets as he begins to hack up mouthfuls of sand and seawater. He groggily raises himself up onto his elbows, dull brown hair sticking to his forehead, and makes a play at wiping sand and debris from his scarggly beard. It takes him a moment to turn his head up to his voyeur, a quizzical look on his face as if the stranger was the odd one out at the beach.

Granted, trying to fight someone with just a sword when they were carrying a spear and a shield was going to be challenging from the start. There was a reason the standard ancient Greek foot soldier carried those two pieces of gear, it’s because they made a lethal combination. Any idiot could stand behind a shield a poke a spear out every so often, and unfortunately, despite all appearances, Theseus wasn’t an idiot.

That’s only too easy to remember as his muscles ache.

Looking up to point this out to the spirit, Nico sees the spear suddenly coming his way, a short yell darting out of his mouth before he rolls to the side. The spear whistles past his ear, aiming for what would have been the middle of his forehead if he hadn’t moved, and he rises to a low crouch, heart thudding in his head as he readies his sword.

“Styx, are you trying to kill me?” Nico snaps. He’s not entirely sure if being stabbed by a ghost spear would actually kill him, but he definitely doesn’t want to find out. He knows Zagreus is able to challenge the king over and over again, but Zagreus is also a god. Nico might have some special skills in the Underworld, but he doesn’t think they’re that special.

@gildedwar asked: "Do you refer to me as 'Babygirl' when I'm not around?" The king is certainly pouting, though if one pointed it out he'd absolutely deny it. There's hands on his hips, and a furrowed brow. Though there's a bit on confusion on his face, it's clearly indicated that he is not happy at the information that had been given to him

"Why are people saying that? I don't even have long hair anymore!"

unprompted ask | Always Accepting

Asterius paused in his reading and looked up at the pouting king with sheer confusion - just blinking at him. Whilst not being able to remember every word he had spoken. Asterius was very sure this 'babygirl' word was not in his vocabulary.

Twin flames blaze on his cheeks, although in the moment it was difficult to discern if they burnt with embarrassment or anger. And truthfully, Nico wasn’t entirely sure either, the god’s words peppering and needling his ears, his skin, like shards of glass. He would rather be doing almost anything on earth than having that conversation.

“Your aim would have still be your aim!” Nico snapped, his hand flying out into the air while his other hand twitched at his side, half-wanting to pull his sword from his hip. Eros just as much admitted he would have let the arrow fly regardless of what Nico said, but at least now he had made his own choice.

@gildedwar asked: "..." Asterius and Theseus LMAO

Send me ❝…❞ and my muse will do their best impersonation of yours | Accepting

"I am sorry, King, but I will not impersonate you. Even with your permission, to me it would be disrespectful." Asterius responded, shaking his head a little as he looked over at Theseus. He did not wish to hurt the man he considered a brother.

Even accidentally.

@gildedwar : Theseus- 57: sender winks at receiver

Elysium : the mortals oft spoke of the plane with reverence upon their lips and longing gleaming in their eyes, dedicating lifetimes to the sheer chance of stepping foot amongst the splendorous fields. Perhaps she ought to have appreciated it more as a child as something beyond a pretty playground to run around, paling in comparison to the enrapturing, ever-changing surface ; a trove of growth and decay in tender embrace.

Though, she had always enjoyed the few times she was permitted to enter the stadium, wide-eyed and fidgety as the electric excitement of the crowd seeped into her very bones, raising the hairs on her neck to attention. It was magick in of itself, the resounding clash of steel, how the mighty heroes swung and dodged without the cumbersome limitations of their mortal bodies, how the crowd roared with each blow ! Perhaps she was biased, but there was a certain pride that glowed in her chest whenever her brother was the one to claim a victory here, cheering with all her might from the royal stands.

But there was another that she had cheered for on other occasions, regardless of who his opponent was : and here he entered, the crowd sent into frenzy once more at the sight of the golden haired warrior who donned the blessed weapons of Aphrodite herself. She could not quite help the smile that quirked at the familiar sight of the king and his noble companion. Could not help either, the huff of a laugh when blue hues met hers, cheekily sending a wink her way.

For old time's sake : Twas the simple reasoning she had given for taking her seat high above the crowds once more. But as she raised a ghostly hand to wave back towards the champion did another quiet truth make itself known.