Hello, I'm back with a new chapter to Brother of War and Music! Ah, I'm running out of things to say in these things. I just wanna apologize to the delay in updating this one, major writer's block.
Last off, Archie had just been told about Neil's apparent change in Neil's behaviour and wants answers, especially after seeing the picture Neil drew, and he knew exactly who to talk to.
Chapter 2: Change breeds New Things
Archie groaned as he parked his neighbour's van next to a red pick-up truck. If he wasn't firm in believing all this god and whatnot nonsense was a bunch nut jobs having a go at a bunch of naïve teens, he would've mistook this as a whole prodigy recruitment program. The dorm was a few stories tall, just about three, four if that top floor was a sort of attic all made of dark brick with a dull grey foundation, it even had a tall fence that led to the backyard and a patio-porch.
Part of him wondered if Neil would change his mind about moving here if he saw this place for himself, but shook his head seriously doubting it. The thought of his innocent little brother reminded him of what he came here for as he locked the van and pocketed the keys.
"Okay, where's the cameras?" Archie blinked as he heard a female voice he never heard before coming from the other side of the fence, "This has got to be a reality T.V. show!"
Archie smirked, at least he wasn't the only one who though this whole gods thing was a crock. Figuring it wouldn't be trespassing since he was part of the group that was to be living here, he quietly began to climb up the fence as he heard the familiar voice of Atlanta, "Trust me, I've seen Cronus, you look into his eyes and there's nothing but evil there!"
Archie paused with a shiver as he tried to imagine such a thing. "I can't wait to meet him," The other voice said sarcastically, before a teasing tone entered her voice, "So, what's the deal with Jay? You going out with him?"
The only intelligent thing he heard in response was a confused, "Huh?" Making Archie bite back a snort.
He winced when he landed, snapping some twigs under his weight and he knew the girls must've heard it. As he made his way towards them, he heard, "We'll attack first, ask questions later, on three."
"Wait," The unknown girl said, "You mean right after tree or two?" He chuckled at that. "I mean now!" Atlanta replied lunging at him, but he easily threw her away and deflected the other girl. His eyes widened at seeing the girl's long strawberry blonde hair, it's color matching the girl in Neil's drawing perfectly and it disturbed him.
As he stepped out into the shed's light, Atlanta was the first to talk, clearly surprised, yet confused, "Archie?"
"You know this guy?" The girl asked as she stood up from her battle crouch. "Yeah, he's suppose to be one of us," Atlanta answered before turning to address Archie, "I thought you didn't believe in any of this stuff, why are you sneaking around? Didn't you say you have a little brother to take care of?"
"I have questions and this is the only place I knew I'd get answers," Archie answered, "And my neighbour's watching him for me." No sooner did he say that, did the power shut off, plunging them in darkness. Archie's eyes widened as he watched the city turn completely dark, if Neil was feeling bad before, this certainly wasn't going to help.
"Quick inside!" Archie said as he used the little flashlight in his pocket to help them get inside. He blinked as another beam of light hit him in the face. "Archie?" Jay blinked in surprise, "What are you doing here?"
"You know him?" An African-American boy with a big afro in a red hoodie asked, by him was a tall, muscled boy with brown hair and green eyes in a green shirt. The similarities between all of them and the dead teens in Neil's picture sent shivers down Archie's spine.
"Yeah, he's one of us," Jay said as he lowered his flashlight, "Archie, this is…"
"No, no, let me guess," Archie interrupted with a blank expression as he shone his light on the shortest member of the group, who shielded his eyes from the sudden light in his eyes, "You're Odie," He then shone his light at the tallest, "You're Herry," He then turned and looked at the slightly taller girl, "And you must be Theresa."
They all stared at him in shock. "How did you know our names?" Theresa asked in shock. "Did Achilles have powers we don't know about?" Odie asked.
"No, aside from my odd immune system, I'm perfectly normal," Archie replied as they all sat in the dark living room, "By any chance do any of you know Neil King?"
He was met with silence, so he delved deeper, "Yeah tall, super adorable, fair-skinned, short blonde hair, baby blue eyes, four but looks two, carries a little wooden box around, did I mention adorable?"
"Yeah, you did," Odie commented sarcastically, "But sorry, I don't think I've ever met someone like that."
"I'd defiantly remember a kid like that," Herry added wondering about the box. "I don't know him," Jay said as Atlanta shook her head. "Neither do I," She added as Theresa shook hers as well.
"Doesn't explain how…" Jay began and Archie took out the rolled up drawing. "Because he drew this," Archie replied as he placed it on the table and they all gulped as they took in the dark detailing. Atlanta, Jay and Herry's eyes widened in shock to see the almost perfect crayon replicas of Cronus and the Titans, while Atlanta and Theresa gasped and covered their mouths, feeling a small heartache at seeing the little boy's sad image and Odie clearly shocked as well as disturbed to say the least.
"Dude, how can your brother draw this?" Herry asked in disbelief as he swallowed down the lump in his throat, clearly disturbed by his crayon image. "His teachers said it was from a nightmare he had," Archie replied, "But I don't get how he'd know your names, he's never drawn anything like this before."
They winced at a loud crash, most likely their neighbour, as yells rung out from the silence. "We can worry about that later, for now, we need to get to the school," Jay said as they all stood. "I'll drive," Archie said.
"You drive?" Herry asked in a slightly interested voice. "Well, yeah, when you work as well as go to school and have to basically raise your little brother by yourself," Archie replied, "You take all the opportunities you can, besides, it's my neighbour's van, more room then that truck."
Herry got a little defensive, "Hey, that was my dad's truck!"
"Sorry," Archie mumbled as he got out his keys and unlocked the car. "Nice," Atlanta smirked as she opened the door and saw the car seat and a little car-pack that was strapped to the back of the driver-seat. She noted it was the ones that opened like a tray and was Frozen-themed. Sitting innocently on the seat next to the car-seat was a large, blue and white stuffed bear with a black strawberry on its upper chest.
"And cute," Jay added. "Hey, for your information, Neil looks like a premature two-year-old and don't get me started on how small he was as an infant," Archie said as he strapped in, "The bear's mostly for his comfort since he tends to fall asleep in the car."
"But seriously, Frozen?" Odie asked with a raised eyebrow. "Not all boys are into things like Transformers or Marvel heroes," Archie shrugged as he carefully backed out of the driveway, "Besides, he likes the songs."
Once they arrived at the school, they clambered off to the room beneath the gym, all the while surprised the power was still working. One of the futuristic pods that lined the one of the walls opened with a series of whirling noises to reveal a wide collection of pristine, old-fashioned weapons that were in top-condition, obviously well cared for.
"You have power here?" Odie asked Ares in surprise. "You could say this place is…off the grid," Ares replied as he handed Jay a sword hilt that was wrapped in deep brown leather with gold, snake-like designs wrapping the upper part of the handle, the actual rest for the blade was golden and was shaped in perfect wings.
When Jay took it a spring like sound was heard as two golden curves moved back, allowing a long blade to literally pop out. "It's a gravitational blade," Ares told the Descendant of Jason. "Nice," Jay said as he moved it carefully, liking how light it was.
Meanwhile, Theresa picked up one of the yellow batons, only for it to pop apart, revealing them to be a pair of nun-chucks on a thick cord. "Huh, these are cute," She commented as she twirled them around expertly.
"And deadly," Atlanta said impressed with the skill Theresa showed, "Where'd you learn to use those?"
"I was a black belt at twelve," Theresa said sheepishly, "While all the other rich girls were board and getting themselves into scandals, I was restless and making a name for myself." Archie smirked at that, liking her already.
"Odie," Ares called out to the Descendant of Odysseus, who sat on a higher part of the stairs, typing away on his computer, "Would you like a weapon?"
"Uh, no," Odie said nervously, waving his head dismissively, "I'm good, thanks; Hermes gave my weapon already," He motioned to his computer, "WI-FI connection, the works; it's portable and durable."
Meanwhile, Atlanta was twirled in four-tongued boa around on one finger, only for it to go flying as the metal balls opened into claw-like fingers and broke the nose off a statue before flying back to her hand. "Now we're talking!" Atlanta grinned as Ares stared at the statue, mouth open, before asking him, "Can I have these?"
"All the weapons here are at your disposal," He answered before leaning in with a stern glare as he added, "But the statues are mine!" Atlanta sheepishly walked away.
"So, how are we suppose to beat the Tifis?" Herry asked.
"Beat it back with lightning bolts then drop a mountain on its head," Ares replied. "Yeah, okay…" Herry said nervously as he walked away.
"At least, that's how Zeus defeated it," Ares said after realizing the problem for them, "You kids are going to have to think of another strategy." As he said this, Jay opened a long metal boa-staff and spun it around.
As this was happening, Theresa sat next to Archie and asked, "So, what's with the fancy footwear?" She motioned to his bracer.
"Wonky ankle, had it since I could remember," Archie answered distractedly, wondering how Neil and Mr. Vanitino were doing. "You seem distracted," She said.
"Yeah, just…a bit worried for my brother," Archie admitted, "And my elderly neighbour." She gave him a sympathetic look.
"Uh, guys, are we done?" Odie spoke up, "Cause all the power's being transferred to the station where your fire-breathing friend was last seen."
"If the tifis is there, so is Cronus," Jay said. "I'm driving," Archie said taking out his keys.
As they arrived at the station, they saw a demolished truck that was singed. "Whoever was in that truck must've gotten out in time," Theresa said. "The doors are open," Jay agreed, "They must've escaped into the woods."
"Shouldn't we try and find them?" Theresa asked as Archie parked. "No time," Jay said as he got out, followed shortly by the others, "It'll be faster if we split up; Herry, Odie, Atlanta, search the dam, Theresa, Archie and I will cover the area."
"These PMRs will keep us connected," Odie said as he took out what looked like high-tech walkie-talkies and tossed one to everyone. "PMRs?" Herry asked. "It's a little more then a walkie-talkie, trust me," Odie responded.
Jay activated his sword, while Atlanta and Theresa spun their respective weapons around. "Ready?" Atlanta asked.
"To take on a fire-breathing monster, fight an evil god and save the world?" Archie asked sarcastically. She just grinned, "Yeah!"
As his group walked along the river, Archie finally said, "Herry, Atlanta and you two I get, but Odie?"
"Have you ever heard of Odysseus?" Jay replied, "He was one of the greatest heroes."
"You mean he's…?" Archie tried to ask. "A direct descendant," Jay answered, "A real wolf in sheep's clothing."
"No offence to him, but more like a wolf in nerd's clothing," Archie commented. "Odysseys was a good friend of Achilles," Jay commented in response. "Yeah, I know," Archie replied.
"How do you two know all this stuff?" Theresa asked, "You're not Greek are you?"
"No, but…" Archie said embarrassed as they stopped walking, "I read a lot of classical poetry."
"Really?" She asked interested, but Archie's eyes widened when he saw the in-coming fireball heading their way. "Wow!" He shouted as they quickly jumped out of the way.
"Everyone okay?" Archie asked as the tifis roared. "Yeah," Jay answered from next to Theresa. "I'm good," Theresa added as Jay stood and activated his sword.
But then the tifis showed, flying in close to them and Archie could only gape in shock, before murmuring, "Okay, now I'm a believer!"
Jay managed to strike one of the snake legs when it tried to bite him, making it hiss in pain. The other lunged at Archie, who jumped up in a backwards flip to dodge as he got out his whip and cracked it at the thing. He glared before trying again only for the tifis to grab it.
"Uh oh," Archie said eyes wide, before screaming as the tifis yanked him up by the whip. Archie screamed, not noticing he pressed a button, sending an electric shock through the whip, causing the tifis to let go, sending him into the swallows of the river.
It roared before flying towards the dam. "Ugh…Odie," Jay said into his PMR. "Let me guess," Odie's voice came through as a soaked Archie joined them, "A big scary monster right out of history is heading our way." Another roar interrupted Jay's response as they saw it was indeed heading for the dam.
Jay almost squeaked into the PMR, "Good guess."
The tifis growled as it spied the other three before diving towards them as they ran. It fired another fireball, but they were able to jump out of the way in time.
"Ugh, that's some bad breath!" Atlanta complained before getting up as it flew towards them and threw her bolas at it, it wrapped itself around its neck, surprising it for a moment before angering it further.
"What now?" Odie asked as it flew towards them. "Maybe we should…" Herry began as it prepared another fireball, "RUN!" Atlanta and Herry did so, but Odie wasn't fast enough and the shockwave from the blast sent Odie screaming over the rail.
"ODIE!" The other two cried. Atlanta rushed to the railing to see the youngest of their group being swept away as she cried, "Odie!"
Herry turned to see the two snake legs hissing at him from both sides. Herry waited, sweating, and just as they lunged he jumped out of the way, causing them to but each other.
"Atlanta!" Herry cried as he ran and grabbed her hand, "We gotta move!" He led her off as the tifis followed.
In panic, Atlanta became a blur as she sped to the van as she shouted, "Herry, hurry up!"
Just as they got there, they were joined by Jay, Theresa and Archie as Jay asked, "Where's Odie?"
"Get in!" Herry shouted and they made a mad scramble getting into the van. Jay yelled out as he narrowly avoided getting hit by another fireball, once he was in, Archie practically floored it as he turned the van around, making Atlanta and Herry wince at the loud sound of screeching tires as they narrowly avoided yet another fireball.
"What happened to Odie?" Jay demanded as Archie drove back towards the city. "H-He went over the other side of the dam," Atlanta confessed clearly distraught.
"WHAT?" Archie and Jay both shouted as Archie served for a moment but got control again. "No!" Theresa said with wide eyes.
"There was nothing we could do," Herry said in regret.
"Did we lose it?" Atlanta asked. "No," Archie said while glancing up at the rear-view mirror, "It just stopped following us."
"It might be guarding something back there," Atlanta mused aloud. "Archie, turn this thing around, we're going back!" Jay ordered firmly. "But Jay, we can't beat that thing!" Theresa protested. "Plus, some of us have family waiting at home!" Archie added.
"We have to save Odie!" Jay said firmly.
Meanwhile, in the cozy confines of Mr. Vanitino's living room, Neil was drawing again with his many crayons. Next to him were two pictures. One was his brother, the strawberry-blonde girl and the boy in yellow and purple on the ground, looking up at a fierce creature with red skin, an orange lion mane, blackish-brown goat horns on its head, sharp claws and demonic snakes for legs, it was at least as tall as a mountain. It was also breathing fire at the three. The other was a large river and in it was the funny-haired boy in red flailing in the water.
As Daniel Vanitino walked in with a cup of hot chocolate, he wasn't very surprised to see the little boy so hard at work drawing, even if there was little light, even with all the candles he lit and fireplace roaring. However, as he peered at the drawings, Daniel felt himself becoming unnerved mostly by the drawing with the monster. He knew Archie would never let the boy watch scary movies and he had yet to see Neil watch a cartoon with such a monster, so he had no clue where Neil would come up with such…a-a…monstrosity.
What got his curiosity was the picture Neil was currently working on. It was partially finished, but from what he could tell it depicted two people. None of whom he recognized. One was a woman with long, curly blonde hair and her face oddly blackened as if shadowed, dressed in a lovely white dress with a veil hanging beneath her pony tail. What he noticed about her was that she wore gold sandals and her ears were pointed, on top of that, her skin was coloured bright white. The man, however, wore what looked like a fancy wine-red toga with gold decorations and appeared to be barefoot. His hair was black with two a streak of white and unlike the woman, his face wasn't blackened. Despite the warm expression Neil somehow managed to capture, his red eyes sent a chill down Daniel's spine.
Neil had drawn them in some kind of mystical valley in a gazebo and was drawing a tall figure. It appeared to be a wedding scene, for he drew pink hearts around the two with pink ribbons and bows along the top of the gazebo and little gold bells right above them.
However, when Daniel looked at Neil, opening his mouth to ask about the pictures, his voice got caught in his throat when he caught sight of the boy's face. Tear stains on both cheeks and his around his eyes were all puffy and red, like he'd been crying for a while. However, that wasn't what got Daniel all tongue-tied, it was the fact despite Neil's apparent rapt attention in his drawings his eyes were unfocused as they gazed at the paper, as if in a trance, his normally bright blue eyes were suddenly pale and misty.
Daniel slowly stood and reached for his phone to call Archie, when Neil suddenly stopped drawing instantly and dropped his crayon. He stood and looked up at his babysitter as an odd little reddish-white symbol he didn't recognize appeared on his forehead.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you…" Neil spoke but it didn't sound like him, it was his voice, but at the same time it sounded…different.
As the candlelight flickered out, all Daniel saw was those normally bright eyes slowly bleed from blue to red before screaming as he was suddenly knocked out.
And viola! How's that for a long overdo update?
Looks like Archie finally believes in all this godly stuff now and what's going on with Neil?
Only I know and I'm not spoiling:)!
Until next time!