"Egyptian God of the Dead? God? What? Why are you in a necklace? Wait, why are you in Kyoto? I-"
Xander was very confused, a ton of questions running through his mind. After all, a God? In a Necklace? That sounded like something from a movie or something. However, Osiris cut him off to start answering his questions.
"Yes, I am the Egyptian God of the Dead. Yes, I'm a God. Why am I in a necklace? Well… Egyptian Gods have the ability to… Possess Humans. Or, more like… Merge with them. I, Isis, Horus, and Set were once siblings. However, after merging with a Pharaoh, Set remained my brother, Isis became my wife, and Horus became my son."
"That… Sounds confusing…"
Xander mused, having always thought abilities like that were strangely interesting. But hey, he couldn't say they were weird! After all, he could absorb energy and fire out blasts of physical force.
"OH, it is, trust me. Of course it's not like that anymore… Although, that's due to their being new Pharaohs and what not. Plus, of course, the meddling of that damn, backstabbing, no good, arrogant, stupid, idiotic, fratricidal, MOTHER FU-"
Akemi touched her necklace and Osiris seemed to calm down. Taking a deep breath, or at least, sounding like he did, he continued.
"Because of MY BROTHER… Set. But, well… Akemi found where my soul was sealed. Or, my BEING I suppose. And when I came out. I TRIED to merge with her, not on purpose. But some interference stopped me. I was able to take a human form, and I made a deal with Akemi… Now I reside within her, supplying her with my strength and power. Or, as much as I can give her."
"Hold up, you're the God of the Dead… Don't you live in the Underworld? I have always imagined you, Hades, Hel, all those Gods of Death just… Taking different places in the Underworld."
"Ah, so young… So Gullible. Unfortunately, no, I do not live there anymore."
"Why not?"
"Ok… So, you know of the Great War between the 3 Factions you're sorta a part of? Well, there were many battles like that between humans and us Gods. Once everyone who believes in us is wiped out, we just… Cease to Exist. To explain… The Greek Gods and Egyptian Gods survive because our stories are taught as myth. As long as we are believed in, if we die, we can come back."
The idea of a God dying was something Xander hadn't fully thought about. Then again, Osiris did not seem like some higher, greater being. He almost seemed human. And there was a lot of sadness in his voice as he spoke too. The gold necklace even shimmered in response.
"Meanwhile Gods like the Mayan and Aztec Gods who were very savage aren't spoken of often, so they don't get to come back. Some still may hang around, but that is it. And the Greek Gods even cheated and got 2 SOCIETIES to worship them. Even changed how they acted and treated things to sell it."
Osiris seemed to pause, almost as if to take a breath or just gather some composure. Xander didn't know why that might be the case, but he was enthralled by the words Osiris spoke. It was interesting to learn about these things.
"When the Romans attacked Egypt, the Greek slash Roman Gods attacked us. Hades faced me, and… I lost. But Hades wasn't like the others. He didn't care about his pride or some arbitrary human opinions. He told me to leave the Underworld, my land becoming his, and in return, he wouldn't destroy me."
"That… Sounds like it sucks."
"OH, don't worry, it's better than what my wife and son got… The Greek Gods killed them… I don't even know if they're back yet. They may just be staying out of the human world. And, of course, it doesn't help that Apophis is back, the Chaotic Asshole…"
Akemi crossed her arms a bit and frowned. Xander listened dutifully, understanding the irritation and anger in Osiris' Voice.
"Hmmm… Did the other Gods, like Hel go through this? And, pardon me for asking… But don't you have Ra who is 4 Gods in One?"
"Hmmmm… Hel is an Evil God, the Daughter of Loki. She was to play a big part in Ragnarok and the end of the world, so Odin and the Greek Gods made a deal. Hades trapped her inside the layer she used to rule, Hel. He renamed it Cocytus, and she resides there. As for Ra… My father left a long time ago. When he passed the crown on to me, he split himself from Aten, and then he went on what he called 'Eternal Vacation'. Only I know where he is, although it's not like it matters. If he'd been there… We may have had a chance. But when you have Poseidon, Zeus, Hades, Hephaestus, Ares, and other Olympians who are powerful, possibly even Chief God Class… Versus 3: Me, Horus, and Isis… Of course they win."
"What about the other Olympians? Who are the ones you're not counting?"
"Hestia, Demeter, Dionysus, Gods who are low class and don't usually fight.."
"Wait, why not Hera."
"PFFFF… Have you ever SEEN a married woman mad!? Yeah, she has beaten the shit out of Zeus before, she is definitely in that class."
"Yeah, yeah, ok… I'm sorry all of that happened. What are you doing in the human world? And what are your plans?"
"OH? That's simple! Akemi and I are searching for Set, my Brother, and an Evil God… And I'm going to kill him. Seriously, rip him apart piece by piece. Then, I'm going to get stronger and I'm going to take my part of the Underworld from Hades!"
"Yeah, uh… Not to point fingers, but he has an Army of Grim Reapers, led by another God, birthed from Nyx…"
"I am, at the moment… Seriously Weakened. Akemi cannot wield the full power of a God, but not only this, I had absorbed power and become stronger from a connection I formed with the Underworld. When Hades took that, he cut me off, so now even if she could use my power, I wouldn't be strong enough… Which is why I'm gonna make her stronger. I have nothing left in this world other than my Revenge… So I'm going to take it."
Xander couldn't help but feel sorry for the guy. He had been killed, ruled over the Underworld, killed again, and now the only family he had left was the brother that killed him. Sitting back down, he rubbed his chin softly, shaking his head. However, there was something Epsilon heard as well, and thus, he spoke up.
"Osiris… You said that APOPHIS is back, correct?"
"... Yes…"
"... One of the most Fierce and Evil Dragons? And you mention in a PASSING COMMENT that he's back?"
"In my Father's Last fight with him, my Father fucked him up pretty badly. He supposedly reverted to human form. He's likely gathering Isfet, Chaos energy, to restore himself to his full power. But I can't track him, unfortunately."
Akemi was leaning against the wall, letting Osiris speak, but after hearing him talk about Apophis, she softly sighed. Taking off the necklace, she quietly put it in her jewelry box and she turned to Xander. Raising an eyebrow at him, she gave him a small, playful smile.
"OH, don't worry… I can just hear the music dying down. Here, let me go and tell them all The party's over and WE can talk."
Waving, she left the room to go send the others back to wherever they came from. Xander crossed his legs and he gently rubbed his chin, thinking about what the heck had just happened. Plus, he noticed his hands aching from when he hit the skeletons, like he'd tried to punch something made of granite. A hard, but sorta rough feeling. Epsilon then spoke up, with a small chuckle toward Xander.
"I bet you didn't expect we'd run into a God on our mission here…"
"No…. BUT, knowing my luck, I probably should've expected something like this."
"You know, if you'd just brought Holy Water and a Cross to that battle with Haruki, everything would've probably been better, right? I mean, it makes sense."
"Who would do that? That is the most stupid idea I have ever heard. Who would be so insane, so… DERANGED, that he would bring a Cross and Holy Water to a fight with a HIGH RANKING DEVIL. Dumbest Idea I've ever heard of…"
"Hehe… Well, who knows, maybe Haruki would've accidentally boosted the effects of it or something… Speaking of, you mentioned him holding back in your fight… During the fight too. I never got a chance to ask, but what's the deal with that?"
"OH, it's just that… I can sorta read people sometimes. And it wasn't cockyness… Or, more like, it wasn't ALL cockiness that made him do it. I felt like he was holding back for some reason. That is, until I knocked him flat on his back."
"I can't believe he went for an attack on your groin… Although you made him pay for it."
"Yeah, I've never clothes-lined anybody… But, I did then. I didn't like playing dirty even though he did… Even against Stray Devils and Fallen Angels, most didn't fight dirty like he did."
Before they could continue, Akemi entered the room once again. She walked over and she sighed, sitting on the bed next to Xander. Looking over at him, she gave him a small smile, and she tilted her head at him a bit, looking him up and down.
"So, where were we… OH yeah, reintroducing ourselves. Hello, I am Akemi Hamasaki. It's a pleasure to meet you… Nah, sorry, I can act formal, but I prefer not to be. Hi, I'm Akemi."
"Hello. As I said before… I am Xander Phillis. You can call me Xander."
"Uh huh… So, please explain to me… What is it you did with that gauntlet thing and how I could do it! I think the girls would look good if the armor was as tight as yours!"
"Uh… I don't know what you mean by 'the girls', but that is my Sacred Gear… Specifically a Longinus. They were made by God… From the Bible… To give humans the ability to fight back. You gotta be born with one though."
"Aww… But, you have something in yours! Is my necklace a Sacred Gear?"
"No, no… The soul of the Heavenly Dragon Epsilon is inside of my Sacred Gear. And just because you can hear Osiris' Voice from your necklace doesn't make it a Sacred Gear."
"Ah, ok. That is too bad, I think armor would make me look pretty good… Anyway, uh… Is there something you wanna talk about?"
"Well, the monsters come to mind… Hmm… I mean, I guess I could try to be friendly, but I don't know if you want to be my friend…"
"Ah, well, uh… I've been observing the situation with help from Osiris. And, uh… A few textbooks. Osiris is teaching me to tap into this force called Ma'at, which is apparently Order, and used for magic and stuff… I put a Hieroglyph on my necklace that allows him to speak to others. Also, so I don't feel like I'm INSANE."
"Ah, interesting, anyway… The Monsters?"
"Aaah, well… There is a lady called El Naddaha. She's a Siren, luring men toward her with her singing until they fall into the water and drown. Uh, there are… A few Griffons. They fly around, have the head, wings, and claws of an eagle on a Lions Body… Then, you have the Serpopard, these two, Leopards with Snake Heads. And, uh… Like… 20 Sphinx."
"Wait… Excuse me? 20 Sphinx? Giant Stone Creatures with a Lion body and a human head? How are they hiding? How are they MOVING?"
"I sent a Skeleton out to where the creatures were possibly spotted… They seem to have the ability to disappear or shrink or something…"
"That sounds… Intriguing. Oh geez…"
"So, you have come to investigate them, yeah?"
"Well, it's more like… I have come to get them out of here. Kyoto is home to the Yokai Faction."
"I… Faction?"
"Oh, uh… Well, every mythology exists or used to exist, from what I understand. Thus, Yokai exist… And they live here, in Kyoto."
"Uh huh, interesting… So, do you need any help taking these things down? It would be a good opportunity for us to… Bond~"
"Hmmm… Well, I guess I could use the help. Although, I probably shouldn't let you come with me where I'll be going first."
"Why is that?"
"Oh, well… I am going to visit the Yokai faction and… Maybe their leader. And with an unstable world climate, it may be best for you and Osiris… Remain outside. Don't want them to think you are part of this!"
Akemi looked confused by some of the things he was saying, but Xander couldn't blame her. She was thrust into the supernatural world. He had time to acclimate and learn, and even then, he didn't know everything there was to know. Folding his arms, he decided maybe he would change the subject. After all, she was very friendly, so he may as well learn about it if she wanted to be friends! Although, at that thought, he could almost hear a facepalm coming from Epsilon. Clearing his throat softly, he tilted his head and looked over at Akemi.
"So, how about… Can you tell me about yourself? You wanna be friends, right?"
"Oh, I would like to be more than friends, honestly…"
"Oh, best friends then?"
"... Xander, you are… Unbelievably adorable… Anyway, I suppose I could tell you about myself! Well, I am the daughter of Shiro Hamasaki, head of the Hamasaki Media Conglomerate."
"... Huh?"
"Oh, he does stuff with advertising and Television! Uh, anyway, I am his Daughter and heir to the fortune! Well, I actually already have access to it and what not, but that isn't important. I used to spend most of my time partying! My dad paid for me to go to Private School and he plans to pay for my college! Or, well… That is what I am told by his Personal Assistant. For a while, I didn't really wanna help anybody or anything! I just spent my time having fun and all that! But then, I took a trip to Egypt…"
Pausing a second, she seemed to be gathering herself. The way she spoke, Xander could dense from frustration as well as other things coming from her.
"I got drunk there and I woke up in the middle of the desert. I had nothing… I had lost my purse with all my things inside. So I wandered and eventually I found a burial ground. There, I found and accidentally released Osi, and he became my best friend! Or, I think he is! But, I did it because I really wanna help people now! I still do a few parties, but I spend time donating and helping organizations… But I am here in Kyoto because of the monsters. Osiris wants to see if we can get information on Set!"
"Wow, I am surprised… I am glad you want to help people, Akemi. That is very Noble!"
"Yup! I have gotten to meet all sorts of people! It has been SUPER fun, and I really enjoy helping people. I do have to practice with Osi, though. Summoning skeletons, practicing magic, all sorts of things! I can do basic sorts of stuff! Oooo, and I have this awesome pet now! I can't summon him, because he is kinda mean to other people, but he is the cuddliest little thing in the world! My little Ammit!"
"I…"
Xander rubbed the back of his head. Ammit, the Devourer was her pet? And she thought he was cuddly? Sighing softly, he rubbed the back of his head. To each their own!
"So, Xander… What about you?"
"Well, I… Live alone… In an abandoned building… Working for an organization called United, who wants to bring about peace!"
"Aaaah… What about your early life?"
"Well… I would rather not say. It is very… Painful for me. More than you could imagine."
"Oh, I am so sorry to hear that! Uh… How about you tell me about your Sacred Gear thingy!"
"Oh, well, I can absorb power and store it for my own use. And I can fire a solid force from a joint… And supposedly I may have more powers."
This was when Epsilon spoke up a bit. Xander and Akemi hadn't expected it, but it happened nonetheless.
"He isn't strong enough for my Element or the Final Command Word!"
"Wait, there is another Command?"
"Yes! A Command called Dis-! Oh, I am sorry, I interrupted. I will remain silent now!"
Xander rolled his eyes with a sigh, and he shook his head gently. Epsilon always did this. He loved to leave Xander hanging, always leaving him on Cliff Hangers. Akemi spoke up.
"Are you upset?"
"No, uh… Mostly annoyed. He does this thing where he alludes to some sort of power I can gain, and then he leaves me hanging!"
"Oh, I am sorry to hear that… I just… Summon dead people, honestly. It is simple, for now, but I don't mind!"
"Oh, I am very glad, Akemi. So, uh… I think I may head to my room now. It is getting late, and my parents always told me not to stay in a girls room too long, or I would end up… Well, you know!"
Before Akemi could stop him, Xander cheerfully left the room, rubbing the back of his head. Quickly he left, going back down to his own room that had been bought by Nicodemus for him. Climbing into bed, he laid back and looked at the ceiling. Staring at his right hand, he made Adamant Absorption appear on the right of his hand. Sighing softly, he wondered what his life had come to. While he wanted to help people, he wondered sometimes what it could have been like. If he had been born normal, without a Sacred Gear.
Tears welled up in his eyes at that thought, because all he could think of was all the happy memories he could have had. His mom and dad may not have died. Maybe the kind of person he was would be totally different! But, at the same time, he was proud of the person he was! This sorta duality had always eaten at him, but he would always just push himself harder to ignore them. Sniffling, Xander cleared his throat and wiped his eyes, standing up to look in the mirror. As he stared at himself, he pressed his right hand against the Mirror and quietly spoke.
"You look like crap…"
Chuckling softly he rested his forehead against the mirror and he spoke quietly. Not a prayer or a curse, but a reminder of who he had chosen to be. The path he had chosen to follow. And wjgh thst done, he nesrly flung himself on his bed before he closed his eyes and drifted off to a peaceful sleep.