Chapter 22: Interlude

Author's note:

Whew, well after that intense action chapter I thought it would be nice to wind down a bit and let things gather up a bit before moving onto the next action. This is more of setting up for character actions to come and not to mention that we are on the final act of this story. By that I mean the chapter the come after will be leading towards the end of this story. That is all I can say for now, so I hope you enjoy the chapter, this is TheFoolOfTheNoon signing off.

() – Solla language translation

[] – Egyptapia language translation

/

Nacho's P.O.V.

"Jail sweet jail cell," I muttered sardonically as a few days has passed since I was put in here. Ankha, Isabelle and the others are doing their best to find evidence to prove me innocent of the grave crime of infecting citizens with my virus that led to the tragedy. The girls would visit me in this jail cell which is clean and not uncomfortable. The bed was passable, and the toilet was well enough away from prying eyes. The walls were made from dark stones that seem to be infused with some sort of anti-magic power. I felt my ki being stifled by it and even the metal bars that cover the window and the cell door is emitting the same energy.

I have gotten used to the routine around here and initially I was treated with fear from the guards. After seeing me not doing anything out of line and listening to them just fine then they relaxed around me. The other prisoners, ranging from lowest offenders of thieves to the highest of murderers kept their distance from me. Although it seems such high offenders are a rarity these days in this kingdom and society in general. Some of them of the lower offenders worked up the courage to thank me for my efforts to save their families from the plague. Others saying, I shouldn't be here, and then there are the morons who can't help but want to provoke me.

As for me, I was left to my own thoughts most of the time. My other me for the first day was nagging at me for letting them take us in like a common criminal when we have the power to easily break out. Such imprisonment is beneath us is what I can remember him saying. However, I managed to get him to shut up and now he has gone silent. I knew he was watching me though; I can feel it.

With nothing but my thoughts to keep me busy I thought back to the day before the incident. The day I visited Tezcatlipoca's temple and gave him my blood again to analyze. The process was the same as I done the previous time. Cutting my hand and dripping my blood onto his statue, this time more so. I remember being brought back to that place again, where I was able to talk to Tezcatlipoca.

/

("Ah…thank you Nacho, this should be a suitable amount of your blood for me to determine what's flows through your veins. How far your ancestry goes that gives you that godlike durability and your power.")

("No problem, so how long is this going to take?")

("Give me some time, it shouldn't be long…hmm…")

I stood and waited as I awkwardly looked around, I really had nowhere to go and all the time to wait. It took about a few minutes before he spoke again.

("Interesting…very interesting…")

("What? What's interesting?")

("As I said before there is a familiar taste in your blood. That has not changed, I can taste the virus in your blood and the beasts you have became one with. This makes it hard…but I can determine that your blood goes far. To the lands of Greece and the lands of your native homeland of Mexico. Your blood runs deep, but I can tell why your blood has that…familiar taste. The blood of gods course through you.")

("W-What?! God's?! No way, that can't be right…okay maybe it might explain some things,") This bomb took me by surprise, but I didn't get enough time to rest before Tezcatlipoca began to elaborate.

("I have tasted the blood of gods, monsters and mortals alike. There can be no mistake, the potential to become a demi-god is within your genetics. It was fortunate that the genes activated within you. Though how fortunate is questionable as it allowed your body to the unthinkable with the virus that plagues your blood. Becoming one with you and creating something new, allowing the genes of beasts to become with you.")

("I…yeah, some sort of chimera. I really am dangerous, aren't I?")

("Yes, you are but power is power. However, it would seem that you are at odds with your wild side.")

("Yeah, I am, we don't agree on everything. He wants to do things one way and I want to do things…wait how did you know I was arguing with another me?")

("Child, my brother and I are one with this land and we have ears when we wish to listen. I have heard of your arguments with yourself. Frankly, I believe you both are wrong.")

("Wrong? What do you mean we are both wrong?")

("Pure control and pure instinct, you and your other side fall on both far ends. Pure control, you deny your hunter's instincts, the ability to act without thinking. Pure instinct, you become nothing more than a ravenous beast acting only on base desires. Neither are preferable as you are a warrior, a hunter, and more importantly a Demi-god. As your Aztec ancestors were before you, they showed strength but restraint. Ferocity and gentleness, Instinct and compassion. You must strike a balance or else you will fall into your animal instincts.")

("But…I don't know how.")

("No, you do but you are afraid of letting go of some of your control. You fear of ceasing to be human. You must disregard such fears if you are going to reach your true potential.")

("Right right…*sigh* just…that is easier said than done. That's all I am saying.")

("So, says you, but that would mean only you yourself is holding you back.")

His words rang true, but I still don't know if it was a good idea to let go. It just didn't feel right to me, ("True, something worth thinking about. Though if part of my blood came from the Greek divinity, and the other from my native land. Do you know who from your pantheon my blood came from?")

Tezcatlipoca went silent and left me alone in this void. It took some time before he returned, ("I…don't know child. The blood of an Aztec god is there but it has been a long time since I tasted the blood of my own brother and sisters. I wouldn't know right away, but I do know for certain that Quetzalcoatl and I aren't the ones that started that line in your family tree. The we may have to look onto our memories for this one. Should you have the time, donate some of your blood to my brother so he can have a grasp on the situation as well.")

("Okay, but I am really getting tired of cutting my hand open just to give you some blood.")

("If there is another way for you to give us your blood I would love to hear it child.")

("Never mind,") I shook my head as the bombshell was still lingering with me. It just seems highly unlikely that one day these two family lines with divine blood in their systems would meet and eventually make me. Not to mention the genes that made me a demi-god.

("I wish I had more to tell you, but I am afraid this is far as I can think back. Your blood is special Nacho, you and members of your family are proof of that. While I am not sure what the universe has in store for you, I can say for certain that it's for something grand.")

("Right, well thank you for your insight.")

("Anytime my child, or I should I be calling you nephew?")

I smiled at his joke, ("Just keep calling me child until it's clarified which of your brothers or sisters help create my bloodline.")

("As you wish, I wish you luck on your future challenges.")

I thanked him as the space I was in faded away.

/

Back to now, its still crazy to believe that I am demi-god. That's half god for those who don't know what that means. However, learning that did not improve my relationship with my other side. Who of which only seems more validated about our status as something that shouldn't be locked up, but of course I wasn't going to let him do anything. Not that he was planning on trying anything as far as I know.

I was planning on telling both Isabelle and Ankha when they were both together, but circumstances pushed that idea down to the least important zone. My trial begins within the next few days, and as long as I keep on my best behavior. Even the other me sees value in that. Still it is quite boring just sitting here and waiting for the next period.

"Hmm…I wonder how the girls are doing."

I let out a sigh before a familiar sensation spiked within me again. A sensation that I only felt once before…when I ran into, "Bladeius…"

I looked up to see the familiar figure of Bladeius staring down at me from behind the cell. There was no smile or any emotion on his face. He came here with a purpose and he doesn't look like he plans on leaving, "What are you doing here Bladeius?"

"I came on the behalf of my master."

"For what reason?"

"To ask questions, as my master is confused."

"Confused about what?"

"Your guilt, you made your case to the kings and my master was listening. He too believes that you didn't deserve the unfair jailing, but one of his associates is telling him that you did it on purpose."

"That is bull shit, and you know it, yes I was at the temple but there was no way anybody got infected by my blood. Even if they did it was by accident, but I made sure that there was nobody around to make contact with my blood."

"Yes, but it still happened."

"That is what it seems like, but there is one important fact. I would know if it was my virus. I am able to sense the frenzy virus and all variants of it. This wasn't my hunter's virus; it was another strain. While I can't prove it, I have reason to believe that a man who been hounding me and my lovers for some time now, Aten, has something to do with it."

"I heard…supposed that it was Aten then why? Why would he attack the people with the virus? What is there to gain?"

"I don't know, we stopped the virus and for the most part the damage was well controlled. Other than a strained relationship with the people. However, that didn't seem too bad. Another possibility is that he is trying to distract us again. He has been doing that a lot lately."

"I see, hmm…this still doesn't give me a straight answer. My master will not be able to decide what to do with just this alone."

"Figured as much, though tell me Bladeius, can you feel it?"

"Feel what?"

"Some sort of connection, I could sense you coming before you appeared. It's weird, like something is connected between the both of us."

"Ah, then yes. I felt it too, its actually how I was able to find you so easily in this prison. I cannot explain it, its like you are calling to me."

"Calling you? That's not how it feels for me, it feels like something familiar was nearby."

"Strange indeed…well I must be off. My master expects me, and clearly I won't get the information he needs from you."

"Fine then, but you know…Ankha missed you. You are an unresolved issue that she wants to close the book on."

"Ankha…I remember that name…its…special but I'm an unresolved…issue?"

"Can you not remember her? Bladeius she was your girlfriend back in the day, you were her first love!"

"I…was? Ankha…I…wanted to help her when I saw her in trouble, I did not know why. I…just felt like I needed to."

"You don't remember everything don't you?"

"No, just feelings…Ankha…reminded me of Ser-Ka. Jogged my memory of who she was but…when she called her my wife…I didn't recall that…"

"Wait you met Ser-Ka?"

"At one point…possibly…the serpent princess became queen if my memory is to be trusted…its odd really. Trying to remember…it feels like…puzzle pieces…and that they shouldn't be here…with me."

"What? They are your memories, right? Why wouldn't they belong to you?"

"Because…I'm dead…it's not reason enough that my soul has moved on?"

"Moved on? Wait…Ankha did mention you reincarnated as Ohkan. Reincarnation can only happen if the soul moved onto a new life. Oh shit…"

"Exactly, I am simply…hollow, this Bladeius no longer exist within this vessel of a body. I am just his remnants. A nobody, a body to be buried."

"Then where is his soul now?"

"I don't know…it is my own unnatural existence to exist without a soul. I yearn to be put to rest again, and these remnants returned to the soul."

"I…I didn't know, sorry man."

"I appreciate your sympathy; my master won't let me rest. My strength is too valuable…"

He walked away as he continued mumbling. I wanted to stop him, but there was nothing left to say between us. So, I let him go still having unanswered questions and left with more to think about. I paused at my misfortune as I heard the sounds of the jailors bringing someone else in, they sounded more active than the usual folk that pass by.

"I told you guys! It was an accident!"

"Yeah! We just saw it going on we swear!"

I recognize those voices; I look over to the cell across from me and saw two guards push two new inmates into the cell. A familiar white squirrel and human man dress in hero styled armor turned around to voice their complaints until they saw me.

*Nacho?!*

"Sup Lavi, Sup Marshal, what are you two in here for?"

/

Ankha's P.O.V.

I sighed as we checked around the temple again, supposedly the source of the infection and outbreak that took many lives. As always nothing came up, no leads or anything. There has been collection of the virus from the bodies and the streets before they were cleaned. The virus has been analyzed and is shown to be almost the same as Nacho's when brought under the scope. It was insane that Aten somehow got a hold of such a virus. Isabelle…gods…poor Isabelle, despite being hailed a hero she had periods of crying fits for the lives lost. I was the only one there who can comfort her during these times, so it was trying experience. She has gotten better a bit but another bad habit she was developing was keeping to herself and trying to improve her magic. She nearly did that the entire day yesterday until I stopped her and told her to take a break.

I sighed; the investigation also prevented me from finding time to use my newfound water mana affinity.

"Aten cleaned up his mess well, there are magic traces here that shows he used magic to clean up any biological material he may have left behind," Azhum studied the altar more closely using what he called magic sight to see the magical traces, "Just magical traces won't help Nacho though, we need something more concrete."

"Hmm…wait, what if there is a witness to the poisoning?"

"Ankha if there was, they are dead now from the outbreak."

"No no no, it's a fact that the statue where this altar is set up next to houses the god they are worshipping. Maybe Tezcatlipoca can help us?"

It was a crazy idea as if the god wanted to help us it would have done so already. Nacho told me as such and even Isabelle confirm that their gods are here, and they have some power. However, it would seem that they too have been weakened from a lack of worshippers over the years and sacrifices. As they normally had human sacrifices to empower them, but it also aided the downfall of the Aztecs who worshipped them.

"Hmm…that could work, but if what Nacho told us is true then Tezcatlipoca must not have a lot power to spend. I would imagine the power needed to transition back into the physical form would take some effort. If this is how they conserve power then I imagine he wouldn't want burn too much at once."

"Indeed, also can he hear us? Nacho said that he was able to talk to him after giving him some of his blood."

"It is possible, but we cannot try it here as this is a crime scene."

"Right, I am aware. Hmm…how about the other temple though? Quetzalcoatl's?"

"Yes, he would have to do, I hope both brothers can communicate with each other. Let us go, our only possible lead lies within the gods of this land. Let us hope they are willing to expend some of their power to help us."

/

Bladeius's P.O.V.

("So, what have you figured out Bladeius?")

"I couldn't gather any evidence from the one suspected master. His testimony remains the same at worse it was an accident. There was no malicious intent as far as I can see and hear."

I look over to my master, dress with a cloak covering his face and body. I never understood why he did dress that way. He did not want me using his name either, very secretive he is.

("Curses…so back at the start then. Damn that Aten, I knew Nacho couldn't have done it on purpose. His actions with us proved it as so. He is a kind man and a hero in his own right.")

"Yes he is, I felt it in his soul. Good man, this Aten is up to something master. What if what they claim is true, Aten poisoned your people with the virus?"

Master went silent, his fist clenching in anger and rage. He always had a problem with that, his rage not tempered and liable for him to act rashly. I don't blame him though, his history told me enough. Still, Aten attacking his people is serious. As my master did favors for Aten and the dark man was the reason my master has great power. He is the reason why he has me in the first place.

("Then…I have made a grave mistake aiding that man. Argh…I am such a fool, here I thought…I can get back at those humans that done my people wrong. However…after seeing that man, Nacho, his bonds, his actions. He is shown a friend to my people…its why I limited my revenge to just that group.")

"Indeed, but what now if those who caused your people suffering are dead? What now with the powers you have? What now with the planning you did? The questionable choices you took?"

("I…don't know,") His fist unclenched, ("I think… I need to come clean with what I have done. Let my people and the gods judge me for what I have done.")

"That would be the wisest decision, does this mean…would you let me rest finally?"

("Yes, but I still require your strength just for one more task. Can you hold out just a bit longer?")

"Yes master…"

I smiled, the thought of becoming nothing again being what I want. Still…I too have something to do. I must return what has been left behind…

/

Nacho's P.O.V.

"And that's how we ended up here," Lavi finished explaining. I was surprised to see two of my friends here but after hearing that entire story I can easily picture it happening.

"Yeah, and we don't know what happen with Whitney or Kiki either!" Marshal added.

I blinked a couple of times, "Right, they should be fine. These people aren't exactly hostile and if anything, they could be in a separate cell together. I wouldn't worry about the prisoners either as most of them are small offenders save for a few. Even then I am considered the top dog around here so they wouldn't even consider doing anything once they know who they are friends with."

"That's relieving dude, still I suppose its good that they brought us here because there is something I need to ask you."

I raised a brow inquisitively, "What really? About what man?"

"Well…are you responsible for the virus dome around the deadlands?"

My eyes widen before looking away for a bit, "*Sigh* Yeah…I was."

"Oh shit man, I knew it. So what happened? You told me before that you got that virus under control."

"It's a long story man, but what you need to know is that I am having issues with myself. This power…runs the risk of going rampant if I don't give it time to run wild."

"Uh…what? English man, I think you been spending too much time with Ankha's old school speech man."

"I agree, Nacho, can you say that again?"

I rolled my eyes, "My powers and I are at odds with one another and if I don't unleash it periodically or if I restrain it too much then it will consume me and I will become a raging beast," Adding to the explanation I showed them my hands which has the corruption in full glory. The dark scales has grew again since I last saw them, no doubt thanks to my jailing and refusing to break out.

"Oh shit man…is there any way to reverse it?"

"Sorry Lavi, as far as I can tell there is no permanent way to stop it. I can only push it back if I go wild, however as you remember with the incident with the deadlands if I hold back too much then it creates a big explosion and like the Shagaru magala the dome won't go away unless I die. So…yeah it's a problem."

Lavi and Marshal looked at me with bug eyes as they didn't think I would be capable of such power before. Worst of all not having it under wraps very well and run the risk of being a major threat, "Damn, I guess I made the right call not telling the guild about what happened."

"Wait you didn't tell the guild about me being apart of that mess?"

"Nothing they need to know as far as I am concerned. Still it won't be long before they know something is up, I been trying to find you man and find out what was going on. Well…mission accomplished I suppose?"

Marshal looked at him, "Just wished we didn't get jailed for it."

"Well you are here now, so now what?"

The two men looked at each other before returning their gaze to me, "Uh…we didn't think that far ahead."

"We been just winging it up to this point."

"Okay then…well at least I will have somebody to talk to at least. At least until the girls and Azhum find proof of my innocence."

"Right, I been meaning to ask. Why are you in here anyway?"

I tilted my head sardonically, "Well…you know just being blamed for the deaths of a huge population of people, so yeah."

"Why does trouble love to find you man? I mean seriously, since all the time I been knowing you. Just somehow and in someway you find yourself in trouble."

I shrugged, "Heck if I know, I just try to find a way out of it in some way or form. In this case, it would be just waiting."

"Well, how long is that gonna be?"

"My trial starts tomorrow, hopefully they have found something. Because I really don't want to spend more time in here then I need to."

"Well…while we are waiting, you mind filling us in what's going on around here?"

"I don't see why not, open your ears as this is quite a doozy man."

"With you, anything is a doozy."

/

Isabelle's P.O.V.

*Sigh*

I sit back in my chair as I look over the potted plant I have been using as a target practice for my magic. A small plant grew with nulberries, at a much faster rate than normal. However, the process was too fast and when I checked the soil it was dry and dead. I really can't make the plant grow faster with more berries without making the soil unfertile. It's a sad fact, but a step below this is the best I can do without damaging nature.

"Is this really all I can do?"

*Nam!*

I look over to the side of me and saw all the nulberry plant monsters I created from my previous attempts to use the spell. I couldn't really get rid of them as they were kinda adorable with their viney bodies and the berry being used as a head. They got some nasty chompers to my surprise but they don't seem to eat much with their mouths other than soil, rocks, and the occasional insect. One of them, I called Nam Nam because all they did was make that nam nam noise and seem to group up the others on my command. This one was different as it had a flower growing on its head.

"Hehe, thanks Nam Nam for trying to cheer me up."

*Nam nam!*

I giggle a bit before letting out a sigh as I turn my attention back to the plant, "If only if I had that fertility restoring spell like Ankha then maybe I could use it along with the super growth spell to counter the infertility after effects. Hmm…actually…didn't Ankha had a spell book with that kind of magic?"

I look over to the side and saw Ankha's bag. Curious I walked over and pull the zipper and the first thing I saw was the spell book. I blushed a bit at the title as I pulled it out. There is a preface and warning as standard usual of these books of magic. I skimmed through the pages, blushing a bit as I saw various sexual imagery and spells. This just made me wonder how Ankha managed to keep straight faced when she read the book. I went through multiple pages and finally I found the page with the restore or remove fertility spell, it was a Tier 5 spell which require much training before they can be done.

I groaned with annoyance as I put the book back in her bag, "There is no way I will be able to train in those kinds of spells, not while I am still learning about my own. *Sigh* What do I do…what would Nacho say in a time like this?"

My brain thought back to one of many inspirational quotes the mayor has said during his time in town. Granted he just makes them up on the spot and are mainly hit or miss but there was one that stood out to me, "There is always a way to solve a problem, even if isn't obvious and may even have you walk away from it. But there is a way, you just gotta believe there is a way."

"A way…hmm…" I looked back at the book before turning to my thoughts towards Azhum. I wondered if it could work but I should ask his guidance before trying anything. The last thing I want to do is accidently fire off a spell I didn't mean to.

Yeah that's a good idea, but still how can I further my own abilities until then? I thought back to the spell's I have learned. Sure I can improve some of them, some I already have but I need that kick in the pants. Something that will open a new door…

*Nam Nam!*

Hearing Nam Nam suddenly gave me an idea, "Eureka! Nam Nam thank you!"

*Nam Nam?*

My plant friend looked at me with confusion before I put them down and began brainstorming, Seeds! My answer was seeds! Plants all had seeds in one shape or another and considering I made plant creatures like Nam Nam then what other creatures I could end up creating if I had access to the seeds of those plants! Yes! I think I know of way to get stronger now!

"Nacho, Ankha, I won't hold you back anymore! I promise!"

/

Ankha's P.O.V.

"Here we are, the statue of Quetzalcoatl, brother of Tezcatlipoca. Our only hope in getting Nacho proven innocent. So…all I need to do is give some of my blood on the statue in order to talk to him?"

"Yes, that would be correct."

"Well, I am probably going to hate this then," I took out a knife and cut my hand. I only breathed a bit as my blood dripped from my hand. Physical pain is nothing new to me and cuts are normal from my experience. Still I rather not intentionally harm myself for anything, so this better be worth it.

My blood dripped off my hand and landed onto the statue's bowl. A couple of good drops fell inside before my cut healed up. Patiently, I waited for something to happen and to my surprise my blood in the bowl slowly began to disappear. I blinked a couple of times before suddenly the statue glowed brightly with a emerald light. I had to shield my eyes as voice boomed from the statue.

("Ho oh oh! What is this? My strength has all but returned! This blood…is truly divine, blessed even! Ah…I see why, Ankha is it? It's a pleasure to meet you.")

I was lost for words by the surge of power coming from the statue. Thankfully Azhum translated what the god was saying to me so I composed myself, "It's a pleasure meeting another god from another Patheon, you must be Quetzalcoatl, in statue form."

("Yes that would be me, sounds like you need something of me.")

"We do, my lover Nacho has been convicted for a crime he didn't commit. He was blamed for infecting those who were at your brother's temple. We were hoping that either you or your brother can come out and testify on the matter. As there has been little evidence to help prove him innocent."

("Hmm? That is odd, Nacho wasn't near the temple during the time of infection. There was somebody else…")

"Yes, I knew it! So, can you help us prove Nacho's innocence?"

("Yes, I shall, of course we need my brother as well. I am well verse with this kingdom's laws as I was there when they developed. If any of us had evidence, then it should be him.")

"That is great, but do you think he has enough power to form in person?"

("He should be, but he would be only able to do so much after expending that power. So, we must make his time count.")

"Alright, then let's get to work then."

I only heard a *heh* sound from the glowing statue as it cracked and glowed brighter and the entire room was covered in the emerald light. I shielded my eyes as the light faded and I was able to look once again. Standing before me was six-foot-tall man with an impressive physique comparable to Nacho. His skin color is grassy green in color with darker accent markings on his body. His eyes glowed white with power and messy orange to red hair draped across the side of his head. Outfit wise, he really showed off an air of god like regality. Wearing a waist cloth wrap that covered his pelvic region and his behind, leaving his muscled legs exposed. The cloth itself is colored red with golden accents and held together by a golden colored belt with Aztec markings on it. Draped around his neck and shoulders is another piece of cloth following the same color scheme but having a more elaborate pattern.

His headdress really stood out as it was mixed with a headgear in the shape of a serpent's head colored dark green with piercing red eyes. Popping from the back of the head gear is a large assortment of feathers that drifted from red to orange colors. Accessory wise it was simple has he wore wrist and ankle bands with the same colored feathers.

I smiled, "Nacho you are all set now"

/

Ser-Ka's P.O.V.

["Here we go, that should be the last of the items Ankha requires"], I smiled to myself as the guard I was talking to was checking off boxes and overseeing that the temple is being turned into official Egyptian hallowed ground. I am glad that I was able to do my part to help her, but I cannot help but dread encountering her. I still must tell her the truth about my relationship with my 'husband'.

I just think about what would happen if she would find out on her own. There is no doubt she would hate me. It really is a deplorable thing for me to do…

["*Sigh* what am I going to do?"]

("Hmm? Something on your mind?")

["N-Nothing you should worry about, just personal issues."]

The guard just shrugged as suddenly a wave of magical power pushed passed us both. It was so fast and brief that I did not know what it was until the guard was staring at the direction.

("Quetzalcoatl…")

I had no idea what he was talking about, but he immediately ran off along with others. Shouting out what I assume is the name of their god. Thankfully, they already delivered most of the stuff into the temple. Some of my workers and guards that came with me picked up the slack. As for me, I decided to check what was the commotion about with a few guards of course. I was not prepared for what I would see.