Chapter V. Fates' Resolution

The portal opened again in a hospital room.
A lazy tug on the Mist from Pyxis' part, and the nurse that was checking on some chart had glazed eyes, and mused "I hadn't realized you had visitors, I'll come back later."
There were two man and a woman in the room – the two man of Afro-American descent were also clearly related, though the younger one had his hair braided with tiny gems while older one was bald. They had the same piercing brown eyes, shinning with distrust for now.

In sharp contrast, the woman, with her fair skin, long caramel hair and sky blue eyes was smiling in welcome – and when she started to speak, it was quite evident that just like Pyxis and Adra, she came from England.
"I had a feeling we would get visitors." she said in greeting, getting surprised looks from both men, that seemed to relax somewhat at how relaxed she seemed "You're here to meet young Carter aren't you?"
Adra nodded, slipping her hand out of Pyxis to come near the hospital bed in which their fellow British sat, a baby in her arms. As she came nearer, brown, nearly golden eyes opened, shinning with far more intelligence than they should.

Adra couldn't contain her excitement anymore.
"Ha! I'm older than you this time!" she proclaimed, making the baby frown rather cutely

[Life Quest Updated! Blood of the Pharaoh
Goal complete: meet Carter Kane
Reward: +1XP]

[Level up! You are now level 26!
+1 SP]

she tilted her head, as if listening to a voice only she could hear "No it's normal you don't have access to Chaos' Game, your body is too young." she explained "I only unlocked it at three year old, during my First Rite. But since apparently your a magician and not a wizard, I don't know how it'll work for you…"

"The first signs of magic are generally witnessed between three and seven year old." the new mother answered, ignoring the frowns her husband and brother-in-law had gained at the mention of Chaos easily "So, are you my daughter-in-law?"
Surprise replaced the frown on both men's face, the bald one letting escape a strangled "What?"

"Not as long as young… Carter is it this time? Has gone through the proper form." contradicted Pyxis, making Adra groan "I did promise your father I would play the role of the frightening parent!" he added seriously
Adra sighed, eyes rolling upward, then pointed out "Light had always followed traditions when it comes to courting me."
In his mother's arms, the baby was nodding along resolutely, looking rather frustrated.

"Yeah, it's annoying being so restricted." Adra commiserated "I only managed to alter my vocal chords enough to be able to speak correctly when I was one and a half, and that was because we entered the Dream Worlds!"
"Ok, I think I've been patient enough." the bald man protested "What is going on?"
"Well darling, it's evident isn't it?" his wife answered sweetly "Our baby boy is so charming he's already got a girl." she said with a very satisfied smile "Which may or may not pertain to the fact that both clearly have memories of previous life, so I'd wager on something like reincarnation…" she mused "I don't see everything in my visions you know."

"Did you miss the part where they were heretics?" the younger man added, sarcasm dripping in his voice
"Please, from our point of view you're the heretics." Pyxis protested calmly "I mean seriously, what kind of people imprison their own gods?"
The affirmation made Carter's eyes widen, and her started to struggle in his mother's arms – wanting clearly to get farther away from the two Afro-American men.
"Well I always thought this was a bit radical." his mother pointed out "And see, Carter agrees with me!"

"He's a baby, he doesn't really understand what's going on." the young man protested
"Please Amos, I think it's quite clear he does understand." the bald man contradicted "The how and why haven't been quite established yet, but look those eyes and tell be he doesn't understand."
The younger brother opened his mouth – closed it, and took a proper look at his nephew.
Sighed and mused "Well, I guess there is one way to make sure…" he brushed the baby's brow with his thumb, magic swirling around him "Med-wah."

The boy tilted his head, an inquisitive look in his eyes "Was this supposed to do something?"
His eyes widened in surprise at the familiar voice – his own – that had just spoken. "OK, this is useful."he admitted, immediately turning toward Adra "Hey, bambina, miss me?
"Always." Adra answered with a smile, before musing "It's rather amusing that your magic relies so heavily on holy powers… I mean imprisoning your gods must had drastically weakened your magic, right?"

"It has." the bald man agreed, making his brother take a forlorn expression that clearly meant he agreed, though he didn't like to "Let's take things back to the beginning. I'm Julius Kane, this is my lovely wife Ruby, my bratty brother Amos and of course my beloved son Carter." a smile "We are shesh, magicians from the Per Ankh." a small bow "We Kane are descendant of Narmer, while the Faust," a nod to his wife "descent from Ramses the Great."
"The Per Ankh really didn't like us getting together." Ruby added with a smile "Powerful magicians are too close to the gods, and children born from two pharaoh's lines…" she laughed "Well I guess they weren't wrong in thinking our children would be special." she admitted, looking highly amused at that

Pyxis bowed, introducing in return "I am Pyxis Orion Black, heir of the most ancient and noble house of Black, and this is my god-daughter, Adrasteia Lyra Potter, heir of the most ancient and noble house of Potter." at this, Adra did a pitch perfect curtsy, winking at Carter at the same time
As for Carter, he was laughing.
"I can't believe you replaced her dog-father!"
"I was surprised too." Adra nodded "But while he still lacks a bit of common sense, brother has adapted well to the mortal realms."

¤.¤.¤

"So, is it reincarnation?" Ruby asked, clearly not able to contain her curiosity anymore "And why?"
"It is a form of reincarnation." Adra agreed "As for why…"
"She's got to save the world." Carter said dryly
"You too." Adra pointed out, clearly amused "You're touched by Fate."
Given his wide eyes – Light hadn't known.

"What do you mean I'm touched by Fate? I'm no hero material!" he protested "Shouldn't they have at least asked for my opinion before doing something like this?"
"They did." Adra reminded him "You said you didn't mind where you were reborn as long as you could do the job Order asked of you more easily."
An annoyed huff.
"Well how was I supposed to guess it meant being a hero? We aren't the heroes usually!" he protested, tone petulant

"Well given that I've already met half a dozen other heroes, I guess it really was the easiest solution…" Adra mused
"Half a dozen?" Carter repeated faintly "Wow, this world really needs some help…" a sigh "Well, this body isn't used to so much excitement yet, I'm taking a nap… Don't do anything I wouldn't approve of!"
And with that – the baby was falling asleep as soon as his eyes closed, making Adra smile fondly. She did understand after all, how frustrating it was to have a body that couldn't keep up with your mind.

"Well, brother." Julius laughed "Are you convinced about your nephew's intelligence now?"
"Ah ah." the other deadpanned dryly "Laugh it up, I don't know why you're reacting so well to have all our world view's upended!" he protested huffily
"I am just as surprised as you." Julius contradicted "It just won't change anything to get mad, and I'm rather curious." he admitted "After all, if they are reincarnated, they must have been sent by someone, and given that our gods aren't able to interact with this world…"

"Who?" Amos realized
Adra and Pyxis shared a glance.
They had already upended the trio's knowledge quite a bit – explaining about the different Circles of the gods could wait a bit. The silence was broken by a silvery wolf barging in, and the harried voice of Remus "I don't know where you and the pup are Ghosty but you better drag your ass here right now, our portkey is leaving in half and hour and there's no way in any Hell I'm attending this Wizengamot cession alone!"

"Ghosty?" Adra laughed
"Moony must have been pretty annoyed." Pyxis nodded "He only calls me Ghosty when he's annoyed." A shrug "Anyway, I do have to go, boring politicking awaits…"
The nearly five year old girl patted his hand in commiseration, and the Black heir turned toward the family "Anyway, we won't intrude any longer, Adra's excitation got the best of us I fear." she nodded sheepishly – she had been rather excited to see a younger than her Light "But why don't we see each other for tea once you're out of the hospital?" he suggested "We're staying in Beverly Hills for now."

Ruby was the one to accept rather enthusiastically – and arrengment made for a meeting the following weeks, Pyxis and Adra were gone with a swirl of shadows.
"Well," mused Julius Kana "Parenting is going to be even more of an adventure than I expected…"
Amos snorted – but despite the fact that he was wary of the pair of wizards that spoke so easily of Chaos, and of the fact that his new-born nephew had been born with memories of a past life, he had to admit he was rather curious about where things would go from now on.

"Well, I think we'd best avoid any shesh too close from little Carter for now." he pointed out "I'm not sure they'd like the idea of a child sent by the gods…." a frown "Whichever gods did send him."
The parents nodded solemnly at that, Ruby's arms tightening protectively around her son.
They had already known after all, that any children they had would be closely watched by the rest of the magicians – that they would be deemed dangerous simply for being born, and seen with mistrust.

This was why they'd already started to put some distance between the House of Life and themselves, unwilling to let the old and unchanging institution to dictate they life.
And in a way, the House of Life was right to be wary of them – because while it wasn't why they'd had their son, they really did feel that the magicians were wrong.
They said that the gods were too volatile and powerful to be allowed in the world – wasn't it oh so very arrogant to pretend to know better when they still used the magic gifted to them by said gods?
Wasn't it time to stop fear and learn to cooperate once more?

After all, the Per Ankh liked to remind all it's magicians that it was the fault of the gods if Egypt had fallen from grace – but they forgo that it was also thanks to them that Egyp had risen as an empire in the first place…
And wasn't it just the rhythm of things in this world, to grow and rise, and decline? Egypt wasn't the only empire to have fallen after all, and somehow, Julius and Ruby had the feeling – that the other faithfuls hadn't taken it out on their own pantheons…

¤.¤.¤

Carter has woken up several hours later, not crying – which didn't surprise Ruby much, but a question clear in his eyes.
"Pyxis and Adra went home." she explained to the baby, knowing now that she could talk to him normally "We'll see them next week."
The dark, warm, brown eyes shone in contentment, and he settled back in her arms, accepting the baby formula easily, albeit with a small frown that made Ruby laugh.
"You'll grow soon enough." she reassured him "And I don't doubt that you'll unlock access to your magic sooner rather than later." a soft sigh "We weren't going to train you, you know." she told him

She didn't need the Divine Word to guess what he wondered.
"You're from the bloodline of two pharaohs, and like we said earlier… We magicians sealed our gods." a sigh "The House of Life, our organization was created by a god, and in the old times the strongest magicians were those that were able to host a god in their body. But these godlings were strong, and often the god took the upper hands. The other shesh started to fear them, and with the fall of Cleopatra, the Egyptian Empire died, and the Chief Lector decreed that the gods were too dangerous, interfered too much in our affairs…"

"And so they sealed the gods." Julius completed – he'd gone home to change clothes and freshen up "And since godlings were often from the blood of pharaohs, we've all been regarded with some measure of mistrust ever since…" he rolled his eyes "It's rather hypocritical, we're praised as the best magicians, but at the same time we're feared for it." he explained, before turning a loving smile toward his wife "Already starting lecturing, beloved?"
Ruby echoed his smile "Only explaining why we hadn't intended to train his magic."

Julius nodded, sighing heavily "It's quite clear we aren't going to be able not to teach him…" he laughed at Carter's resolute nod "But we're going to have to be discreet…"
"Maybe it's time." Ruby sighed "Time to really cut ties with the Per Ankh."
Julius' eyes widened.
"Are you sure? You always told me you were sure Iskander could be reasoned with?"

"And I stand by it." she nodded "But he's the Chief Lector but in name nowadays… The young magicians may respect him, they have stopped listening to his wisdom a long time ago, too sure of their own knowledge."
Julius couldn't help but nod solemnly.
After all even his brother had difficulty stepping out of the narrow mold the House of Life had imposed on them he knew – despite the boy being far more wild and free loving than him when he was young. Perharps even because of it – after all, Amos had been in trouble far more often that Julius when the were young and training in the First Nome in Egypt, and as such the older magicians had been far harshed in his education.

Calm Julius had never made any waves, taking all knowledge in with curiosity but never openly going against any teacher…
Of course, it didn't mean he never doubted or questioned, something they hadn't realized until he was old enough that there was nothing to be done about it.
And now, the wildness of Amos' childhood had been all but destroyed by the First Nome – while on the contrary, Julius was revealing in asking the question that no one else, but his beloved wife, dared.

And the Per Ankh didn't like their question.
Liked even less their marriage.
And the fact they had dared to have a child – better not to speak about it.
Ruby was right, he realized.
It was time to leave the life they'd always known, and step into the unknown.

"How do you want to do this?" he asked "It's not as if we can send a resignation notice."
"I'll talk with Iskander." Ruby decided "I'll tell him we're retiring from the Nome to raise our child, that since he'd never be welcomed among them, we see no reason to stay anymore."
"It's going to break his heart." Julius said softly – he knew well after all, how much her old mentor loved Ruby
She nodded her agreement, tears in her eyes.

"It will. But I can't keep on crusading for change among blind ears, not now that we've got Carter to take care of." a watery smile "And somehow, I think that what we've failed to do, he will manage."
"We can only hope." Julius agreed with a small sight

¤.¤.¤

A week later, the Kane family was knocking on the Shinning House's door.
To say that there was a cultural shock would be putting it lightly, and Amos was the one who took it the hardest.
To think another magical society lived in this world, hidden away but never having forgotten about the magicians…

A society as different from there own as night and days! And while he held no illusion that the wixen world was perfect, it was still oh so very different it made him pause.
Both were taught to be wary of the gods – but the wixen were healthily wary, and respectful – and in turn there were even demi-gods born among them; while the magicians had let the wariness turn into fear, and the respect they afforded their own god was one afforded to a dangerous beast, not a venerable entity…
And sure enough, all the wixen agreed to say their gods were far from perfect. But they had learned not to meddle with mortal on their own clearly – so much so that some of said mortals were even of the opinion they didn't meddle enough anymore…

While the Egyptians had opted for the rather radical solution of imprisoning their gods.
And somehow, Amos was starting to come to see why Julius and Ruby had been advocating for a better cohabitation.
And after a week of not addressing a word to his brother, he finally understood why the man was seriously considering leaving the Per Ankh.
"I'm… I don't want to give up before even trying." the dark-skinned man sighed, playing with one of the golden gems he'd donned his braids with this day "I understand why you want to leave though." he admitted "You've been trying to tell us some of this for year, and even I couldn't… no didn't want to understand…" a smile "So you take care of your son, and I'll tale care of our family."
Julius smiled "I wish you more success than I had."

[Life Quest Updated! Blood of the Pharaoh
Bonus Goal complete: Amos Kane is now convinced that the gods should be released
Reward: +20XP, Blood of the Pharaoh Perk unlocked]

[New Perk unlocked
Blood of the Pharaoh(5 PP): unlocks Egyptian Divine Words, Egyptian Elementalism, Egyptian Transformation, Egyptian Invocation, Egyptian Divination, Egyptian Illusion, Egyptian Mentamancy, Egyptian Healing Art, Egyptian Necromancy and Egyptian Battle Magic Holy Magic Skills

Available: 20PP]

Carter – was with the children, the Egyptian Divine Word anchored to an amulet to last a bit longer letting him talk with them. And what a surprise the children had been, the little witch the lone one not of direct godly descent in their troupe…
All of them, the Kane knew, would be seen as too dangerous to live by the House of Life.
And all that they could see – was children.

Powerful children, there was no doubt about it, seeing Thalia and Luke spar more than proved it – but children nonetheless, that could and were taught how to harness their powers. Because after all, power wasn't to be feared, as long as it came with sufficient control.
And so, while his uncle and parents talked with the Lovegood, Pyxis and Remus, Carter got to know the new generation of heroes his other half had already met – easily feeling what his parents hadn't realized yet: that there was more to Leifr and Sirius than they knew.

The baby was still easily tired, which was rather frustrating, but he did enjoy hearing about what Adrasteia had been up to those past few years – and he really couldn't wait to be three year old already, and have Chaos Game and some of his abilities back, as it was rather frustrating to be so limited.
He'd also been stunned to here about the James and Lily Potter of this world – but suitably impressed.

By the time the Kane left the Shinning House, if they didn't know quite yet when they would be seeing each other again, it was clear that just like with the other Fate's Touched the large family had met, they would be seeing each other again.
Luna had nodded resolutely as the Egyptian family left…
"Well, time to go and see little Piper again!"

Thalia had been a bit surprised by the proclamation – but by now, it was pretty clear that she was leaving with them.
Remus sighed, and taking a stack of paper informed them "Well, I'm going to see Beryl Grace."
"Is this…"
"Paperwork for her to give up the right to raise you." the werewolf nodded – they had talked about it already "And if you agree to it…" he pushed another stack of paper toward the girl, knowing she was more than mature enough to make the decision herself

"You're… adopting us?"
"Only if you want to, otherwise you can be my ward like Luke is with Pyxis. You can keep your name if you want too…"
"No way!"
And just like that, Thalia and Jason Grace became Thalia and Jason Lupin.

¤.¤.¤

Tahlequah was a small, rather poor city of barely 15 thousand inhabitants, with a consequent Cherokee population.
Like most of his native compatriots, Tristan lived in the poorer area, on the outskirt of the town, in a small, old house where the name "Thomas McLean" wasn't quite erased yet from the letterbox.

Given that they'd arrived without a warning, the budding actor was rather surprised to see the extended Lovegood-Potter-Black-Lupin clan landing on his front door.
He looked tired – but less unsettled than when they'd last saw him. Clearly going home had done wonder for the man, and it was clear he had now learned to live with the knowledge that there was more to the world than he knew.
"Would you min if we set up our tents here?" Luna asked with a bright smile
Tristan – as a matter of fact – didn't mind, quite the contrary.

Far from the deer in headlights air he'd tended to adopt every-time he discovered something new back in Los Angeles, he merely laughed heartily and told them they were cheating when he witnessed the enlarge and comfortable interior of the wixen tents.
That evening was spend under the stars, grilling marshmallow and some strange venison Tristan had never tasted, and for the adult sharing a few drinks while Pyxis took advantage of the situation to give an Astronomy lesson to the children.

Tristan, they learned was quite knowledgeable on the topic – as it was, he confided bitter-sweetly, something he used to do himself with his father.
He was rather surprised to see how enthralled the children were with the stories – both of the Greek-roman name of the start, and of the native legends he'd learned on his father's knees.
"He would have loved to shared those stories with Piper." he sighed as the evening came to an end
"Then you'll have to ensure she learns them." Adra enjoined with a smile "Who knows, they may even come handy one day, especially for a demi-god."

"You mean…" there was genuine curiosity in the man's eyes now, not having considered it yet "Our legends too could be true?"
"I haven't met any native holy being yet." the girl said "But well… Granny Squannit's Hole in the Ground called to Natalie when she was pregnant, so I'm pretty sure they can't have completely faded…"
There was some wonder in Tristan's eyes when he went to bed that night.
And early the next morning, he was risen up by a familiar laugh.

Around the ashes of the evening fire, the wixen and half-bloods were happily chatting with some of the neighborhood that had stumble upon theirs tents in the morning.
Inola, the teenage girl from the nearest house was pelting Pandora with questions about the United-Kingdom, the woman answering as patiently as ever; Steven, a middle-aged lumberjack, was cooing at Adra's familiars – the fox, wolf and dog clearly enjoying the attention. And the old Aaron – though some called him Chaske – was talking with Leifr and Adra.
"Ah, little Tristan."

The actor rolled his eyes – he would always be little in the eyes of the man that was already old when he was a child…
"I'd wondered what you had found in the city of angels, but it seems that instead of finding something you were the one to be found."
And this, he mused, was why it was so hard to talk with the old man – half of what he said was strangely profound, if sometimes a little obscure. The other half, most of the time, was spiritual mumbo-jumbo that would be more appropriate for a tourist attraction rather than a poor town community like their own.
Tristan paused in his thoughts.

"You've found faith in Los Angeles. All those little ayeliiyv, touched by Unelanuhi." the old man smiled approvingly
And suddenly, Tristan found himself wondering.
If there hadn't been more than he knew about the man for all these years.
"There is no worse blind than the man who refuses to see." Aaron nodded, as if reading his thoughts

"Chaske was telling us he's already hidden the area." Pyxis told him, approval and respect clear in his voice
"We aren't familiar with his branch of magic, so we didn't realized until he pointed it out." Leto added "It's far more subtle than the wards we're used to."
"Maintaining balance in the lands is my duty and my gift." the old man said with a humble smile "Little Piper will have nothing to fear here." he drew his bushy eyebrows together "It's out in the world that I can't do anything for her." his frown eased itself "But you've already taken care of this."

"No child should have to grow up fearing for their life." Pyxis stated firmly
"One never stops learning." old Aaron mused with a smile "To think even Ayohuhisdi would be kind."
"Being inevitable doesn't mean being cruel." Adra was the one to answer – Steven had gone, probably to work
The old man hadn't stayed long, but Tristan was rather reassured to realized that even when his wixen friends were gone – he would still have someone to go to when felt out of his depth.
Even if Aaron tended to speak in riddles…

Since he didn't have work for the day, they'd then gone to Tulsa, the nearest city with a magical district.
"The one in Oklahoma City is larger," Remus was explaining, having taken the time to make inquiries about it "but this one is nearest, and with all the basic needs of a wix covered, so you should find anything you need here. I've also been told that the magical native population favors this district." he mused "I'm hoping to find a few books on their brand of magic, it felt really quite different from what I'm familiar with…"

Leto was nodding along – and Tristan laughed, he had realized after all, that all the adults in the mismatched group, tended to be bookworms of the highest caliber.
There weren't a lot of books, they were rather disheartened to find – as the magical local culture was mostly passed on orally. But digging in an old second-hand shop they did find several books on legends, one of the few potion books published by a native wix and even the barely legible, hand-written notes of an old medicine man.

The group's stay was cut short when Tristan was called back for work in Los Angeles a mere few days after their arrival.
Goodbyes were said, well-wishes shared with the actor – and while he took the road back toward the west in his old beat-up pick-up, Luna and Adra shared a glance.
"Where to?" Remus asked, used by now to the fact it was the children that were in charge of their travel agenda

¤.¤.¤

"South." Luna declared grandly
"Until when?"
"Until there's no more land of course!"
Xenophilius waved his hand, a translucent map appearing in the air.
"Houston?" he asked
"Sounds good." Leto agreed

"Well, Houston it is then." Pyxis said, a portal opening with a flick of a hand
They rented a large loft near the magical district – and this is where Adrasteia spent her fifth birthday.
"I can't believe it's already been one year." mused Remus
He'd been a bit doubtful when they started their trip on a whim – but looking back, he really didn't regret anything about the year spent across America. From the people they'd met, to the places they'd visited, it had been a one in a life-time kind of trip.
He'd even gained children – something he never thought he'd have.

"It's not over yet." answered Adra, her smile serene "Speaking of which," she teased "Is there anything you want to tell us, Leifr?"
The god huffed, and tugging on the Mist to hide them let the glamour only his fellow gods had noticed fell.
"You're… a girl." Luke pointed out, a bit dumb-founded – making Thalia laugh "And older."

"I'm gender-fluid." the Norse explained "It's just less visible when I look 10 year old." even when male, she did look a bit androgynous
"Uh… I'd been wondering." Thalia admitted, having noted the small differences "But why do you look older?"
"That's because I am." a shrug "I was in a bad place, and Adra helped me, so I decided to help her in turn…"
"By taking the form of a kid?" the demi-goddess wondered dubiously

"Easier to explain my presence as a child rather that as an adult popping out of nowhere."
"Uh. Why not." a shrug "But why are you like this right now then?"
"Because she's stuck." Luna said with a bright smile "Congratulations Leifr!"
"You really shouldn't have kept up the glamour!" Pandora remonstrated "Did you perform the safety spells to check if they're safe?"
"They are." Loki confirmed, a bit overwhelmed by the woman's reaction

Remus tilted his head, and finally put the words to the scent the god had uncovered when he'd dropped his illusion.
"Oh." he realized faintly "You're pregnant… Er… Congratulation?"
"It's been a while since I was last a mother." the Norse mused "Should be interesting." she concluded
Luke – stumbled and fell.

"Is it someone we know?" wondered Pandora
"No one worth knowing. I just wanted to teach his holier than thou ass a lesson…" the goddess mumbled "I'd forgotten how fertile I could be when healthy…" she concluded with a blush "I'm going to have to child in the same year!"
"What, they're twins?" Remus asked, nose wrinkling as he wondered why he hadn't realized

"No, I'm the father for the other one."
"OK. This is beyond weird." Thalia laughed "Which I guess is par for course for the family…"
"And what about the other one? A lesson to teach too?"
A bit of a blush.
"No. Ayesha is a good woman." he contradicted with a soft smile that made Luna squeal
"How are you going to deal with the situation?" Adra wondered "Are you heading back home?"

"I've already talked about it with both Ayesha and Sigyn." he explained "Ayesha will keep the child, but I'll take her for vacations." a shrug "And this one there's no way in hell I'm leaving anywhere near their father."
Luke and Thalia shared a stunned glance, having finally caught on what was being said – the name Sigyn cinching it.
"Oh. You're not a half-blood, are you?" Luke mused, taking it far better than he would have a few months earlier - and already having had his doubt about it "You're a god." his eyes widened "And you're going against the old laws!"

"I am." Loki agreed firmly "Odin won't care, I've already warned him but well… Asgard isn't like Olympus," he explained to the boy "It's half empty quite a few of the gods have faded… Honestly there's no one really left to insure the old laws are respected, most are just so used to them that they obey them without thinking."
"It's far harder for your father, because Thalia's father still holds much power, and he is quite strict with those rules."
"And temperamental." Sirius said dryly
"And that." Adra nodded
Luke nodded, eyes thoughtful – and if there was a bit more respect in his eyes for Loki after that, well no once mentioned it aloud…

¤.¤.¤

After that, Leifr took to keep his glamour down, and even if she wasn't showing yet, Pandora was often fussing around her, much to everyone else's mirth.
Leifr was a bit unused to spend so much time in adult form – her mischievous disposition meant she enjoyed how much she could let her temper run wild in her child form, which she enjoyed immensely.
Her female default form was far too beautiful to enjoy walking about with getting harassed by annoying would-be play-boys – and even the cohort of children of all age didn't help!
"That's it!" she proclaimed as she used a small scale illusion to redirect the attention of the third man in the past hour – who though it was a good idea to flirt in a museum really "No more restrain I'm cursing the next one!"

A giggle answered her – and the goddess realized that there had been a mortal nearby.
A clear-sighted one at that clearly, otherwise she wouldn't have heard her comment.
The mortal was a woman – a Hispanic woman, holding easily her baby in on arm while examining with interest a schematic.
"Sorry about that." Leifr said sheepishly "I got a bit enthusiastic."
"No worries. Hormones to tend to wreck havoc on the temper." the other smiled – she must be rather perceptive, given that Loki's pregnancy wasn't yet very visible
"Nonsense. This is Leifr's regular temper." Luke contradicted with a snort a bit farther away

"Brat." the goddess answered back, before realizing that something was pinging on her senses
"Oh… A little fire user." she smiled fondly "This isn't a talent found often in among the Greek and Romans offspring's…"
The woman's eyes widened "Oh, you really did use some kind of illusion then… Is the child…"
"A half-blood too." Loki agreed – neglecting to point out that she was the godly parent
Adra had caught up with them, and mused "Wow another one. The local pantheons really are prolific."

[Life Quest Updated! Tinker, Tailor...
Goal complete: meet Leo Valdez
Reward: +10XP]

"Well godly fertility is rather high." Loki pointed out – just as she'd recently realized
Adra tilted her head – this really was quite specific to this world, she mused, as quite to the contrary having children had never been that easy for her in any of her previously life…
"Are all of you in the known?"
"We are." Pandora agreed, Jason in her arms "Were you given information about to care for a demi-god?"

"His father told me that he would have powers once he grows up, and that monsters would come after him eventually. He came me the address of a camp to sent him if needed." she tightened her hold around the baby "But he's still alright, he doesn't need camp."
Leifr eyed the woman – this was something they hadn't quite encountered yet – except in a lesser measure with Sally.
A mortal parent that didn't grasp how dangerous life was going to be for their child. That naively believed they would be able to protect their child alone, and without training them. She was rather surprised, given that the woman seemed otherwise rather intelligent – but sometimes parental love did strange things to people.

She sighed, and said, bluntly but not unkindly "Don't be naive. You aren't always going to be there for your child. Do you intend to spent every minute of their life looking after them? Even when they are at school, or sleeping?"
"Why not."
"You know better. For one, it's impossible. And more importantly… This baby would grow to resent you. You're not being fair."

"It's a mother's duty to protect their child."
"It is. And the best way for a half-blood, is to teach them how to take care of themselves. It doesn't mean he won't need you, nor love you. It just means he'll be able to survive one more day."
"Children shouldn't be taught to fight!"

"If that's really what you think, you shouldn't have slept with a god." Adra said "Half-blood love to fight for the most part. And even those who don't love it learn in out of necessity. In this case, it is a matter of parental love to teach them."
"No matter how intelligent or powerful your are… a mortal doesn't weight much against monsters. Regular weapon don't hurt them, and on top of their power they are just physically stronger in any possible way." Remus explained

"Whereas we are stronger, faster and more resilient than mortals." Thalia concluded with a wild smile
"Let's not speak anymore on this." Pandora said "You're upsetting our new friend."
"It wasn't our intention." Leifr apologized, tone contrite, Adra echoing the sentiment with a nod
The woman hesitated a second, but smiled and accepted the apology "You were talking out of kindness, I believe." she extended her hand toward the goddess "I'm Esperanza Valdez."

¤.¤.¤

In the following month, Leifr became close friend with Esperanza, the goddess finding a particular kinship with little Leo for his budding gift with fire.
She took great care to warn the woman that this was a talent both powerful and volatile, and that he'd have to learn how to use it, less he lost control of it…
The mechanic woman had also been introduced to the magical district for a hiding charm – she'd found herself rather curious about the more technical aspects of the wixen world, but took to it rather well, having none of Tristan's nearly primal fear for the preternatural.

Convincing her that her son would need training, on the other hand, was far harder…
And paradoxically, eventually happened because of a goddess.
It started with Leo's hiding charm disappearing after his baby sister took care of him.

"A hero doesn't need something like this." the old woman who took care of him had said with distaste
The wixen had shared worried glances – after all it would take someone powerful to remove a charm that had been attuned to someone like the hiding charms were.
A new charm, more powerful yet more discreet, had been crafted, Leifr pouring on the barely legible journal of the Cherokee medicine man they'd found in Tulsa to use their subtle way of weaving wards in order to hide his own seidr empowering the charm.

Despite her resolution, Esperanza ended up using the same baby-sitter once more.
This time, she found little Leo cooing in the middle of a fire-place.
"Hera." she had said, fury boiling clearly as she rocked the baby that hadn't even realized something had happened
Leifr reassured her, explaining that fire wouldn't burn him – but it had still been shocking.
"She said she was her to prepare him for his destiny. That he's supposed to save her one day!" she seethed "He isn't even two year old!"
"Some gods are more disconnected from mortals than others." Sirius explained gently "Especially ones like the Greek queen, who doesn't have half-bloods."
"At least when you tell me that I'll have to train Leo, it's for his own good, no for your own benefit!"

When Hera came a third time, under the same disguise of Tia Callida the baby-sitter, Esperanza did something so courageous it bordered on completely mad.
She talked back to the goddess.
"You've no idea how to raise a half-blood, he'll be dead before his destiny comes."
This had given pause to the goddess.
"I'll raise him. I'll see him trained." she vowed – not specifying that it was for he son's own god and not for the selfish goddess "If you really want him to be good…. Give me some celestial bronze, and when he's old enough, I'll make him a weapon worthy of him."
Hera hadn't answered.
The next day, a pile of celestial bronze ingots had arrived in the mother and son's small flat – and the queen of the Greek pantheon wasn't seen again.

[Life Quest Updated! Tinker, Tailor...
Bonus Goal Complete: Hera will leave Leo alone
Reward: +20 XP, +1 PP]

[Level up! You are now level 27!
+1 SP]

As for Esperanza, true to her words, she'd started to hone her son's talent.
Not with the dangerous and thoughtless plans of the goddess no – Leo would learn to think before he learned to act, she vowed.
But no longer was she against him learning how to fight – she would teach him her own way.

Always liking people that were more brain than brawn, Leifr was a fount of ideas for the boy's training, and as such she spent quite a bit of time with the Hispanic woman, helping her think up ways to teach her son without making him a brute.
"Well…" Thalia had been the one to muse as the two woman were spending the day together once more "I can already guess who the mother of his next child will be."
All had laughed – no one had disagreed.

¤.¤.¤

In the beginning of October, Loki began to get antsy – realizing that his children was soon due in Boston, the family had decided that it was time to leave Houston and head back north.
Leifr had promised to Esperanza to drop by from time to time, much to the amusement of the rest of the group – and on the 6th of October, Samirah Al-Abbas was born.

[Life Quest Updated! Gryffindor Girl
Goal complete: meet Samirah Al-Abbas
Reward: +10XP]

To say that Loki had been surprised – and a bit worried – Adra announced that his daughter was yet another Fate Touched was putting it lightly… The goddess had taken tools out of nowhere in the middle of the hospital room, the charm bracelet that would protect little Samirah a work of art and seidr that even a god would have difficulties taking of.
Natalie who'd become quite close with Hardwin when they were gone, was very happy to introduce the magical district to Ayesha once she was out of the hospital– though a bit surprised when she realized that little Samirah was Leifr's daughter.

The large family was enjoying the last days of fall in the Blue Hill Potter Mansion when they received a rather unexpected visit.
Three women, pale with pale skin and an unnatural beauty, shrouded in white clothes and hoods,fog surrounding them like a bridal veil.
"You are going against the old laws, Loki Farbautison." one of them said, soft disembdied voice seeping cold in everyone
"You are free, yet the world still stands."
"You bear the taint of another pantheon."
"You take car of your mortal child when you shouldn't even come near her."

"You have broken the fate written for you and your children."
The goddess froze a moment in primal fear, then found back her voice – and her nerves.
"I did." she agreed "And I stand by it."
"Non-sense." the first one affirmed
"No one can go against fate." echoed the second
"You will be made to comply." concluded the third one

Adrasteia sighed, then undid the control she usually had on her aura.
She had wanted to delay this for as long as possible – as all the gods in the area would feel what she was about to do. But this situation; this was precisely why she'd been sent.

[Past Life Aura Activated: 05:00]

The body of a young wixen blurred, and was replaced by the elegant silhouette of HatakeYagami, twelve tails waving in an unseen wind and golden sharingan twirling lazily – or rather, of Shadow, the Old One. Chaos Game blinked insistently as the Interface calculated a flow of abilities that went well over it's current leveling system.
"You are overstepping your boundaries, and have utterly failed your duty." she warned calmly "Desist."
"This is our duty. The fate that was written must be played out!"

"Mortals and Immortals all share one thing… Free-will. What you are attempting is in direct opposition of it, and the fate you've written is already know to eventually fail in the bigger picture."
"What ever we do." one Norn pointed out
"It's always for the naught." the other added
"The world always end in chaos and destruction."
"Yet now that someone tries to go against it you try and push him back toward a path of self-destruction?"

The Nornes seemed to freeze, as if realizing suddenly that what they'd just said and what they'd just attempted were in direct contradiction of each other.
As one, they bowed.
"It is as you said, old one." they admitted in one voice "We have failed our duty, and didn't realized we went against our very mandate."
"We'll rewrite this new fate as best as we can."
"And hope that the Abyss isn't the ending we find once more."
With that – the three beautiful, disturbing woman disappeared – yet the aura of other-worldliness didn't disappear, as it became clear that behind the three beauties, three old crones had been waiting patiently.

"Your display of power finally let us locate you, Old One." the one to the left said, never stopping knitting
"And we heard what you told our counter-part." the one in the middle proclaimed, holding the yarn her sisters were knitting
"Shall we undo the tapestry too?" asked the third one
"Is it really a tapestry worth keeping, when it always ends with annihilation?"

They put their needle work down, and stepped toward the goddess – respect clear in their stance, yet not lacking self-assurance either.
They took a long look at her, then asked "Show us the face you wear among mortals. You have made your point, and we wouldn't dare annoying the one who hasn't spoken yet."
The wave of heady power receded, and Shadow turned back into Adrasteia Potter.

"The Girl Who Lived." the first Moirai nodded
"A Fate already far changed." the middle one noted
"It is difficult to see where this tapestry will lead us…"
They bowed their head to the little girl in a perfect ensemble.
"We'll pray for your success, Old One. And start a new tapestry. It is tiring after all, to never manage a work that doesn't get torn asunder in the end..."

[Secondary Life Quest Updated! Fate's Work is never done…
Goal Complete: the Nornes will work with you
Reward: +5XP, +1PP
Goal Complete: the Moirai will work with you
Reward: +5XP, +1PP
Goal Complete: the Fata will work with you
Reward: +5XP, +1PP
Goal Complete: the Morrigan will work with you
Reward: +5XP, +1PP]

[Level up!You are now level 29!
+2 SP]

Stunned silence echoed the departure of the Fate's of the Greek-Roman and Norse pantheon.
Loki's eyes were a bit widened – in awe at the power expressed, and a bit more, making Pyxis mentally snort.

"Well," he mused aloud "so much for flying under the radar."
"We are rather north." Adra pointed out "So it's possible Olympus wasn't shaken too bad."
A flash of light and a laugh echoed the dubious proclamation.
"No chance! You're just lucky that since they hadn't cottoned on your existence yet, they are still wondering what the hell happened, but I wouldn't stay in the area!" an amused voice commented
Luke eyes widened as he took in the tousled dark hair and piercing blue eyes.

Hermes was already stepping toward him, somewhat hesitantly.
"I'm sorry I didn't sent help sooner." the god said, clearly not used to say the words
It was rather unusual to see him so hesitant, but he'd been forbidden from showing affection to his child for so long he didn't really know how to anymore.
Luke realized it easily – because the hesitant movement he saw weren't movements of rejection, but more of uncertainty.

So he stepped forward, and hugged him.
Not too long – the boy wasn't that tactile either.
But just a moment, to convey that he did understand.

"It's alright. Thank you for sending them. There are times where I'm still a bit angry but… I understand better now." a smile "And I know things will change."
"They will the god nodded, relief clear in his eyes, before turning toward Adra "I mean with an Old One on your side…" he winced, hearing something only he could "I must go, father's calling for an Emergency Council."
A wave – and he was gone.

"You were right." Luke mused, still a bit stunned "He does care. Even if he doesn't know how to show it."
"It's been nearly two thousand years since the old laws were enacted and we were forbidden from interacting too much with our children." Loki said, eyes straying toward the baby girl in her arms "Even for gods, it's a long time."
"So… Isn't anyone going to mention… You know the big sound and light show?" Thalia mused

She eyed the people around.
"Oh, only us kids didn't know right?"
"No way." "I've no idea what's going on." Natalie and Ayesha contradicted her
"Long story short… Adra's a god incarnated in a mortal body. So she is both Shadow, that we've just since… and plain Adra. She's also a more powerful kind of god than those you know of, but it also means her powers are harder to use in the Mortal Realm." Luna explained rather clearly and succinctly coming from her "And Hermes was right, we really shouldn't sty too long in the area."

Adra nodded, adreanaline coming down – and weariness catching up, as her body really was still quite young for even a few minutes under her full powers.
"Let's head north." she suggested
Pyxis nodded, taking his nearly asleep sister in his arms, and glancing toward Remus who was thinking quickly.
"Quebec. That's the nearest house the Potter have north of here."
"Quebec it is then."

¤.¤.¤

The words cinched it – and a flurry of activity ensued. Leifr turned toward Ayesha, while Hardwin turned toward Natalie to get them home – while the Lovegood bustled around the house, packing everyone's things as quickly as possible.
Less than an hour later – they had left behind the USA, and arrived in Quebec.

After her show of power, Adra had slept until the next day – but despite her brother's worry, she was right as rain after her long night.
The children had been a bit hesitant at first, still having trouble wrapping their head around the fact that the little girl was also a powerful goddess – but with the resilience of young mind, within a few days the episode was already old story, and Adra a play-mate once more.

They remembered from time to time that she was different – when they saw how quickly she took to fight with a blade now that she was finally able to train in fighting with the older half-blood.
Luna and of course Jason were the only two not taking part in the fighting lessons now – but of course the bay was too young to mind, and whimsical Luna always found other things to occupy herself.

They spent a few days in Quebec, but as winter was falling around them, they decided that the weather was perfect for a road trip across the country.
Or rather – Luna decided.
The other children were all rather enthusiastic, especially once they heard that there were wixen sleds, and they were usually drawn by valravn, winged wolves, in the area.
A shopping trip to the magical district, and they were ready for an adventure – they found all that they needed and more, as it was a rather popular attraction in the area.
The next days and week, the clan felt as if they were out of the world.

Leifr was particularly at home in the cold, which was rather logical given his ancestry – but despite the cold, all really enjoyed the trip.
They'd rented a pack of valravn, that would stay with them until they undid the magical collars around their neck – at which point they'd fly back to Quebec and their tamer.
The beast, that some considered fearsome, all the children immediately decreed adorable – and the valravn, clearly enjoyed the positive attention.

The tents they'd used in Tahlequah were pitched every-night, and the lessons of the children given either orally during the sled travel, or on the evening.
It was also the occasion for Pyxis and Remus to initiate the children to hunting – something the Lovegood weren't particularly fond of, but understood the necessity for, especially for half-bloods.
In the wild as they were, they did cross path with some predators, both muggle and preternatural, which was the occasion for the half-blood to test their skill with some adults nearby to help them if needed.

¤.¤.¤

A few days into their trip, Odin had dropped by, hugging Loki before belatedly remembering they weren't in good terms enough to do something like this, before finally explaining.
"There was a new-commer in the einherjar, and I decided to drop by the welcoming feast…" he explained as he was invited to dine with them – taking a mouthful of deer his eyes lit up at the spices used by Remus to season the meat "And the Norne came and…" there was glee in his eyes "I don't know what you did," this was aimed toward Adra too "But their latest prophecy…"
He closed his eyes, visibly quoting by memory.

"Fate be Changed
The Old One Come
A new Fate Weaved
New Laws to Come
Ragnärok Ends
Asgard Awakens
Pantheons join hands
And the world will Prevail."

He opened back his eyes.
"Not their best work rhythmically speaking… But clearly… Something has changed! They've all but proclaimed the end of the old laws!" he said with a victorious smile
The smile dimmed a bit "Well, of course all gods haven't heard the prophecy just yet…" the smile grew again "But those that have are already changing things. Thor has visited Gunilla, and I've heard Frey is thinking about visiting his latest half-born…"

He eyed his blood-brother.
"Speaking of half-blood… Am I to be an uncle again?"
Loki – didn't feel like pointing out that Odin didn't deserve the title. Because right here, she was really seeing the man that had been her brother again.
So instead, she let herself dream a bit and corrected "Twice over. I've a girl that was born a few weeks ago." a smile "And I'm due at the end of March."
The warmth in Odin's voice as he congratulated her was unmistakable.

And Leifr couldn't help but wonder when it was, that her bitterness against the king of Asgard had all but disappeared.
"It's great!" Odin was proclaiming once more "With this prophecy… This time, I know ,I'll make Aesir and Vanir listen to me… This time, I'll remind them of their duties, and introduce them of the possibilities of the modern world!"
As for Adra, her eyes were wide as she took in a notification she had only received among the Celts before.

[Life Quest Complete! Changing Fate…
Goal Complete: the Norse Pantheon isn't tied to it's fate anymore
Reward: +10XP, +5PP, Reformed Norse Pantheon Achievement
[The Vanir and Aesir aren't chained by their fear of Ragnarok anymore]

[New Perk unlocked
Norse Allegiance (free): +25% to all Norse Magic, +10% to Strength

Available: 30PP]

They'd nearly crossed over the continent when they had their next encounter.
The group had been camping in the same spot for three days already. Pyxis and Remus, while still supervising, were letting Luke, Thalia and Adra take charge of the hunt.
The children had learned quite a bit – managing to catch a few hare – and even a wolpertinger in their snares.

Adra had been taught the charms to cut and skin the beast, clean said skin and even preserve the meat – but she also learned the old-fashioned ways with Luke and Thalia, who didn't have the advantage of magic for this.
Padfoot, Blanche and Kagetsu did participate rather enthusiastically – but the three godly familiar were still very young, so their help was most of the time more of a hindrance than anything more…
On the third day, they had taken out bows and arrows, and were soon busy looking for tracks in the snow – hoping for a moose or even an alchis, a kind of magical giant moose...

Instead, Thalia had spotted a feline's paw prints.
"Those are too big for a bobcat or a cougar." Luke whispered as she pointed out the prints to Adra and him
"Are there some magical creatures in the area that would make this kind of prints?" Thalia ask, her just as low as Luke's, to Adra
The little goddess though back to her lessons, and own general knowledge.
"Not that I know." she mused "I know there are wild hippogryphe in the area… But they run in herds and have hooves."
"A monster then." Thalia nodded firmly

She shared a smile with Luke, his crooked smile rather reminiscent of the one his father wore when he was about to win a game "Shall we go and see then?" the boy suggested
Adra sighed at how eager the two were to put themselves in danger – half-blood really reminded her of young shinobi on that point. Oh well, at least there were plenty of people in the area, herself included, to help them if they tried to take on something stronger than them.
"Well, those arrow tips are goblin-made," she mused "so they'll work on monsters." her own smile answered them, canine looking longer than they should "Let's go!"

Her three familiars were now far more focused than they'd been earlier – confirming her niggling suspicion that until then, just like her, they'd been more playing around than really focusing on the hunt.
Focus renewed, the six children and familiar were soon on the monster trail – Pyxis and Remus not too far behind them, though only Adra and her familiar could feel them.
Nearly two hours went by – and suddenly, they were on the beast.

"Gryphons." Adra whispered
The monster variety was taller – and far less majestic – than the magical one, she mused…
And really why did the monster variety like the cold when the magical one despised it?
There were three of them, ganging up on a wounded deer that was clearly about to become their lunch, which would be too much for Thalia and Luke – but behind them Pyxis and Remus were already getting closer, probably coming to the same realization.

"Do you want to try it?" she asked nonetheless, her past as a daiyoukai involuntarily showing through
"We won't be able to take the three of them." Luke admitted reluctantly
"But one…" Thalia mused
Adra smiled approvingly.
The two half-blood had adapted rather well to the fact that despite being younger, she had more knowledge than them, and had taken rather easily to turn toward her for it.
"It is a good training occasion for me too." she mused, turning toward her brother, that had dropped silently as a shadow by her side "Would Remus and you take care of one of them?"

The Black heir nodded in silence – and Luke and Thalia took it for the approval that it was.
They fanned out, each getting a better angle on one of the beast.
The two half-blood let their arrow loose first, one hitting a beast in the shoulder, the second deflected by his wing, picking up the gryphons' attention – then Adra let her own arrow fly, hitting the second gryphon between the wing and the shoulder, making it difficult to move said wing, by her side her familiar rose their voices, calling the monsters for a fight; and finally, Pyxis and Remus caught the third gryphon's attention.

The three beast step away from their catch, each toward their assailant – and moved.
Adra had barely the time for a second arrow, then switched to Fuurin's familiar weight, nimbly dodging under the sharp claws before springing toward the beast, managing to climb on it's back, though barely hanging on.
From the corner of her eyes, she saw Remus finish off the first monster with a well aimed Sagitta Glacialis. The next moment, she was digging Fuurin into her own monster's brain through his eye, shadows twirling around the blade.
She fell graciously in the middle of the golden dust cloud roused by the gryphon's death.

She turned her attention toward Luke and Thalia – the fight wasn't easy by far for them, but they were managing.
The girl had earned a long slash on her arm – and Luke must have come far too close from the gryphon's claws given how close to his left eye his own scratch was. But the monster was bleeding too – and the young goddess knew they were about to finish the fight.

¤.¤.¤

That's when she felt the incoming arrow.
Up until now, she'd felt the group approach, but given that they hadn't been deviated by the Mist, she guessed they must be in the known about the preternatural one way or another, especially given the powerful presence both she and Pyxis could feel among the new-comers.
"N'dah!"
Pyxis nodded toward her with an impressed smile as the Egyptian Divine Words echoed, a shimmering shield deflecting the silvery arrow – Adra smiled, she had unlocked them ever since she'd met Carter, and while she wasn't by any mean an expert she had made some progress, aided notably by Ruby, who was always happy to help and give her any insight on the magic she practiced.

[Hunt Complete: Gryphon (LV30)!
Reward: +10XP, unlocksGryphon's Claws,Gryphon's Speed andGryphon's Wings Perks]

[New Perk unlocked
Gryphon's Claws (1PP): +5 to blade damage
Gryphon'sSpeed (2PP): +5 to Parkour and Discretion
Gryphon's Wings (10PP): grant the ability to summon and dismiss wings

Available: 28PP]

"I don't know who you are," Pyxis said coldly toward the group hidden among the trees "but among wixen stealing a kill on a hunt is considered as ill-mannered."
"We only sought to help given that you were simply watching children fight." a voice dripping with contempt answered
"And how should they learn if someone steal their prey?" Adra was the one to shot back "You are sure quick to judge for people who kept watch of the fight until the last second."
Indeed – just as Adra had deflected the arrow, Thalia had managed to creep under the gryphon's belly, dragging her celestial bronze dagger through it's underbelly.

"Peace," a new voice interrupted the first one, clearly calmer – and more authoritative
Out of the woods came half a dozen girls and woman ranging from twelve for the youngest to twenty year old for the oldest. All wore silver jackets for the cold, over camo pants that shimmering faintly silver too and sturdy black combat boots.
They also all had a silver bow and silver-tipped arrows in her quiver latched to their back, and the hilt of what appeared to be celestial bronze knives peaking out of their boots.

Thalia and Luke had come closer by now, the girl holding what appeared to be a bow and arrows of celestial bronze, the black feathers rather familiar, and the weapon expertly crafted "We got spoils!" Luke proclaimed happily – in his own hands, she noted, a short, thin blade ornamented in the same designs as Thalia's bow, the demi-goddess humming happily along, but both already watching wearily the new-comers.
The leader of the silvery group was the youngest among them – not that it really surprised the small group of hunters given that they had been following Luna's whim on their travel for nearly eighteen months…

"My hunter was a bit hasty, but didn't mean any insult." the young teenager stated, a woman shifting uncertainty behind her "Giving training to your children is quite honorable." she nodded her head in greetings "I am Artemis, goddess of the Hunt, and those are my hunters."
"Well met." Pyxis answered, bowing with all the natural his pure-blood education gave him "I am Pyxis Black, heir of the Black, and these are my wards Adrasteia Potter, heir of the Potter." Adra curtsied just as easily "and Luke Castellan." the boy bowed awkwardly – but he had been having etiquette lessons for a few months now, even if he didn't enjoy then any more than Adra "Remus Lupin, our proxy," the werewolf bowed deeper "and his daughter Thalia Lupin." Thalia's small curtsy was just as awkward as Luke's

"I must say I didn't expect to meet such a strange hunting party out there." the goddess mused, clearly curious
"We're traveling toward…" Pyxis eyed Adra "Where are we going, thinking about it?"
The question was met with some surprise from the hunters – as for Adra, she hummed musingly "Still further west." she answered "Probably Vancouver?"
"Just traveling?" one of hunters asked, clearly a bit surprised about it

"And taking care of the pups." Remus nodded "We're on a break from home." he explained, knowing Pyxis wasn't one to explain something so evident
"We started in New-York," Adra said "we've also been to Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Tulsa…"
"Talk about a road-trip." another hunter mused, clearly impressed – she earned a glare from the one that had shifted uneasily when Artemis had admitted her girls had been hasty
"Anyway, we didn't mean to get in your way," Remus said "we'll be heading back to camp. Do you want the venison or shall we preserve it?"
"You may have it." Artemis answered calmly – making Thalia groan
A raised eyebrow from her adopted father and she slung her new weapon on her back, fishing out a sturdy boning knife, before dragging Luke along with her.

As for Artemis, she was eyeing Pyxis and Adra, head tilted in consideration – making the silence stretch.
"You're no simple half-bloods, are you?" she eventually asked, making brother and sister share a glance
"We aren't." the young girl agreed, before winking "I'm sure you'll figure it out."
The hunters eyes widened at what they saw as blatant disrespect.
Artemis wasn't as quick to judge – and this she knew wasn't disrespect, simply someone affording her the considerations due to an equal, and not a superior.

¤.¤.¤

"Boston…" she whispered, eyes widening "Get back to camp, I'll meet up with you later!"
"My lady!" a dark haired hunter protested
"Don't worry so much, Zoe, I'm just checking on a hunch, I'll be back soon."
Zoe nodded reluctantly, and gathered the rest of the girls. Within moments, they were gone, only Artemis left behind, the goddess watching with an approving eyes Thalia and Luke working.

Satisfied that they knew what to do, Adra stepped in to help, and they were soon heading back to camp, goddess of the Hunt in tow.
Around the fire the Lovegood were waiting, Loki feeding Jason while reading an old tome from the Black Library, that was floating near her, Sirius sprawled near the fire, reading a book too.
"How was the hunt?" he asked as they stepped into the camp

"We fought gryphons!" Luke crowed happily "You should have seen Adra doing rodeo on her monster! And Moony just one-shot the third one with a magical arrow!"
"What a strange amalgamation of people…" Artemis mused "Gods, half-blood, wixen and even a werewolf…" she turned toward Adra "I'm right in thinking you were the one behind the power show that happened a few weeks ago, aren't I?"
Adra smiled "You don't seem too wary."

"I'm not." a shrug "I'm a hunter, I can feel whether someone is dangerous or not. You are powerful," she eyed Pyxis "both of you are. But you have no intent to do harm right now."
"So what do you want to ask?" Pyxis asked "I doubt you followed us back to camp without any reason."
"Something happened when you did that power display." she frowned "My brother has been all but cloistered up in his temple ever since, and somehow no one seem to have realized it because they're too busy looking for you."

"Your brother…" Adra trailed, her eyes widening "Oh he's the god of Prophecies, isn't he?"
Artemis nodded.
"My encounter with the Moirai convinced them to make a new tapestry." she explained
Artemis stumbled.

She dropped on the furs that littered the ground around the fireplace, accepting mechanically the cup of hot chocolate Luna was pressing in her hands.
"No wonder brother is staying home, he always complains that big prophecies gives him headaches." she mused, a bit of fondness for the other god clearly visible for all to see
"I'm sorry." Adra winced "It wasn't my intention to make him suffer…"
"Was the future so bad?"

"Individually? All pantheons had heroes lines up to help with the next conflicts, none was hopeless…" the green-eyed Potter answered "But globally…" a shrug "Globally, no matter how well those heroes perform individually, the current pantheons are so separated from each other, and remove from mortal affairs, that all are incapable to learn how to work together in time to save the world." she explained – this was, at least, what Fate and Time had explained to her, given that she didn't have the gift to see through time
Artemis sighed.

"Heroes from different pantheon working together? Gods helping mortals?" she winced "Father isn't going to like this."
"So I've been told."
"Which is why you've not reached toward him directly." the silvery goddess realized
She sighed, stretching on the as she rearranged her thoughts.

"I can't well go to father with this, he won't understand." she sighed "And it's not as if I can't understand the need for some gods to take better care about their purview upon mortals… But for some of us, what are we meant to do?" she gestured toward the forest around them "Paces like this are dwindling by the day, I can feel the Wild dying, Pan hasn't been see in centuries… I'm pretty sure the same must be true for the nature deities of other pantheons."
Adra sighed.

"I don't have all the answers." she pointed out honestly "But this world isn't dead yet, and there are mortal who fight for the Wild. Why not help them? A simple blessing can go a long way sometimes… When was the last time you, or any other god simply blessed a mortal that did something in accordance with their domain?"
Loki winced at that – for all that he agreed with the young goddess aim, he hadn't made the effort either he realized. Even when he'd even personally met some among wixen that could benefit from his blessing given the years she'd spent as a child among them.

Giving Jason back to Pandora, she stood up "I'll be back before tomorrow. I've a pair of twins to find." she said absent-mindedly, disappearing in the In Between Path the next moment…
Remus raised an eyebrow, then ask "She isn't about to do what I think she's about to do, right?"
"Bless the Weasley Twins, the two eight year old terrors that have been pranking everyone around them since they're three and proclaiming their intention to open a joke shop one day since they're four?" Adra said "She most certainly is about to bless them." a happy laugh "I'm looking forward to what they'll manage with a blessing from Loki!"
"Oh my," Pandora giggled "poor Molly…"
Artemis had watched the by-play with an amused smile too – she may not know the twins, she knew enough about Loki to know that even when he wasn't bent on destruction, he was still a wildly chaotic being.

She nodded decisively, and stood up in turn.
"I'll do what I can." she vowed "And I know some who will listen to this advice." she said, bowing elegantly "You've given me much to think about, Old Ones." a smile "Good luck on your quest, and we'll see each other again."
Adra nodded in answer.

Artemis was already a few steps away when she turn back one last time "You'd make a good hunter, Thalia Lupin! If you ever want to join me, don't hesitate!"
"Thank you, my lady." Thalia answered with a smile "But I'm good where I am."
The goddess didn't seem surprised by the answer – a few steps later, and she vanished between a moonbeam and the shadows of the evening.

ADRASTEIA LV 29 (5 YO)

BODY
Agility 7(16)
Strenght 4(8)
Endurance 6(8)

SPIRIT
Intelligence 6(13)
Wisdom 7(14)
Fortitude 5(12)

HEART
Empathy 7(9)
Perception 5(13)
Sociability 4(11)

LUCK 4(16)

PERK ACQUIRED (23PP spend, 27 available)

Black First Rite (1PP): grants Easy Black Magic Potency (+10 to Easy Spells of Battle Magic, War Magic and Curse)
Moon First Rite (1 PP): unlocks Light Battle Aura (+10 to all damages)
Potter First Rite (1 PP): unlocks Sensing Skill up to 25 SP
Ravenclaw First Rite (1 PP): unlocks +10 to easy memory tests and +5 to Mentamancy Skill

Jack of All Trade (5 PP): +1 SP per level
Natural Genius (2 PP): double book learning rate (locks Hard Work Genius Perk)
A Father's Strength (5 PP):+5 to all Communication
Blood of the Pharao (5PP): unlocks all Egyptian Magics
Cyclop's Skin (2PP): +5 to Physical and Elemental Resistance

FIRST PATH - Mind(+10 and RP, +5 to SPIRIT MC, +10 to Magic Skills)