Nero relived the fight while he stumbled down Jean's faded trail under the blazing sun. Why did he torture the demon? It played over in his mind repeatedly and the only feeling that colored his actions was satisfaction. The demon's pain made his monster side happy. The why was what the most important part. To explain that he needed to understand what his monster side. To understand what he needed to start at where his monster side came from.
Nero Invictus had a choice two lifetimes ago. When he held a blade in his hand and dressed in the clothes, he chose to die in he chose freedom over a life of slavery. No masters and no chains would ever bind him. Always, he would choose even when the choice was between life and death he'd choose.
The sun beat down on him robbing him of mana while he checked the tracks. Twice he reached a dead end before getting back on the trail.
It was only a hypothesis, but those items exemplified his freedom to choose. When they merged with his body, they become a part of him. When the demon consumed those souls, he took away their ability to ever choose again. Was that where the rage he felt came from?
Nero suffered the consequences of his transformation with itchy skin, a pounding head ache, and torn muscles. It was the first time he transformed completely, and he felt over worked. The whole event felt like a fever dream.
The demon needed to pay, and Nero couldn't disagree. Every broken bone the demon suffered was revenge for Greg. More than that it was revenge for the choices the demon took from Greg.
His monstrous side hated the demons. The cultists chose their fate, but Greg didn't, and Jean's parents didn't. Ishtar was at least partly responsible he'd make her pay too. Just the thought calmed his monster side down and let him think clearly.
Nero stopped at another dead end. This was the third one and these tracks weren't any fresher.
The girl must have had some experience with shaking trackers. Why would she need that skill living in a gated community? He shook his head and followed the tracks while he tried to put together what happened.
Already the convoluted nonsense was taking its toll on his already pounding head. Greg was the one behind it but how did the demonic spirit possess his body. Where did the feather in amber come from? That seemed to be the source of Andramelech's influence. Who was Andramelech really? He was a demon but possibly a god originally. He needed to brush up on his Assyrian mythology.
Nero found his way to an old cave. This was where the trail ended. There were no alternate routes or long ditches to hide her tracks. No amount of walking in her own tracks could deter him after he followed every dead end.
"Jean, this is Nero from the Mythological Mercenaries. They hired me to find you. We met last night; I removed your chains." Nero yelled. Even to his own ears that sounded awkward. He let out a sigh and kicked a rock. The stone shot off in the distance before cratering the side of a nearby hill.
The kill had leveled him up again. He'd need some time to get control over his strength. Nero walked over to a nearby rock and sat his bare ass down. Most of his clothes had been either burned off or torn apart. Four hours transformed didn't leave his body in the best of states.
Even sitting down hurt. It wasn't a matter of healing his body was simply worn out. That and he hadn't recovered any mana since the sun rose. In a few hours that would become a real problem. No mana meant no recovery. He wasn't up to killing a sun goddess just yet.
"Are they gone?" A quiet voice asked.
"Yea," Nero felt himself slump off the rock. He wasn't recovering mana and it was wearing him out.
"What's wrong?" Jean cried.
"I'm tired, it was a long fight and I need to rest." He fought to suck in the next breath. "Can you get me out of the heat?" Nero asked.
He felt a pair of soft but firm hands grab ahold of his arms and pull him. With the sun gone he felt better. In the dark, mana returned to his body like water to a drain. His strength didn't recover instantly but it was a net positive.
"What happened to Greg?" Nero shut his eyes and sucked in a breath.
"There wasn't anything left to save." Nero felt the words but didn't know if they were true. What would it have taken to save him?
"Did you try?" She screamed.
"May Hades grant him safe passage into Elysium. I think he was possessed for a long time. He had a part of the demon on his bookshelf. Do you know where it came from?" Nero asked.
"It was the last gift our uncle gave to Greg before he died in Iraq. Did the demons kill my uncle too?" Jean asked.
"I think they used your family because you're centaurs, the racists." He looked over and not a smile crept on her face. "They gathered followers here, possessed your brother, killed your parents, and used each of you as sacrifices." She started to weep softly.
"My parents are dead. I thought I couldn't cry anymore after my capture." Nero's eyes widened.
"Shit," Nero muttered.
"How did they die?" She demanded.
"You don't want to know."
"Tell me." Nero sighed.
"Demons are terrible creatures who do terrible things. They killed them in a painful ritual and extended their pain for a long time. I only saw the aftermath." Nero said.
"I have no family now." Nero placed a hand on her leg.
"You can live with me if you want to." Nero offered.
"Its ok there's still someone who loves me." She said.
"You mean Rodger. Were you really going to leave with him?"
"No but at least I know he loves me." He let her believe that because it was her choice. She could lie to herself if she wanted. Jean didn't want to hear the truth. She would just have to enjoy the meth.
Nero stood up and rolled his shoulders. His bones popped and creaked under his own strength. He'd have to be careful.
"It should be safe to leave the cave by nightfall." Nero muttered. He leaned against the wall to rest. He was beyond tired and needed to sleep but couldn't rest. While the sun was up resting wouldn't be safe.
She laid down next to him. Nero raised an eyebrow.
"Just lay against me, I'll scream if something happens." He fell against her soft rum colored fur. Nero knew he shouldn't indulge but the rise and fall of her breathing was soothing. His eyes betrayed him, and the mercenary couldn't keep awake any longer. Slowly, Nero drifted off and dreamed of fire, explosions, and the screams of a demon. A smile never left his face.
"Wake the human and get up. The Olympian demand his presence." Nero opened his eyes slowly and stood up. Like a zombie Nero rose and felt the soothing mana of the night air. A massive centaur woman with a bossy air stood over him. She looked down at him with narrowed eyes. Her horse half was ridiculously muscled, and she was very tall. Though her arms kept a willowy lady like shape they were toned. She couldn't be out of her twenties, but she gave off an atmosphere of someone matured.
She looked him over before scowling. He felt a stirring below the belt at seeing her pouty lips.
"Even a demigod doesn't warrant the arrival of three gods." The centauress growled.
"Take care of that thing." She demanded.
Nero stood up and stretched. His mana was already half filled and returning to full. Old strength roared in his arms and legs ready to deliver the power he needed. From the tips of his toes to the top of his head he was bursting with energy and ready to go. He felt a bit stronger than even the level ups and new skills should have given him. Even his monstrous side hummed with reassuring vigor. Overall that rest had refreshed him completely.
Back in the gated centaur community Nero saw Artemis chatting with a few centaurs amiable while Aphrodite gossiped with centauress. Hermes kept looking around. Nero hopped off of Glenda the boss mare of this community. He was still naked.
All of his coconspirators were present, but the sky wasn't rumbling so Zeus might not know. This had to be about Ishtar. If he tried to run it would look suspicious.
"Hey guys you wouldn't happen to have a spare set of clothes anywhere?" Nero asked.
Artemis's mouth dropped open while Aphrodite laughed before blasting him. An old-style white Greek toga covered his modesty. With his privates covered he felt a little better.
"He walked over to Aphrodite. Hey who's that guy." Nero yelled.
"Hermes, I thought you knew him already?" Aphrodite asked in a whisper.
"Oh, hello Lord Hermes I read a lot about you. Its good to finally meet you." They locked eyes for a second before a slight grin lit the gods face.
"Indeed, young man, though I'd advise carrying an extra change of close on your next outing." Hermes admonished.
"I did, but a third change might not be a bad idea." Artemis let out a feminine sigh.
"Good, I thought I'd have to test out your resistance to transformations." Nero raised an eyebrow. "By turning you into a deer and hunting you for your lack of discretion and forethought." She put her hands on her hips and rocked them to the left. "What happened to the first two sets?"
"Well the first melted, mostly. A jihadist car bombed my motel with me in it. The melted plastic, tar, and fiberglass destroyed my good suit. Then when I fought those demons my other suit was burned away."
"Father demands your presence. I told him we'd collect you." Artemis said. Nero nodded and gave the moon goddess a smile.
"Is it because of the demon fight?" Nero asked.
"Yes," All three deities said.
"Why did you get into this mess?" Artemis demanded. Her hands never left her hips. Nero sighed and rubbed his face.
"I took a job. Someone disappeared, the mortal detectives couldn't handle it, and they sent me. There was a bit more to it than a missing person."
Nero brightened. "Thank you for coming. I'd prefer a familiar face to a god or goddess I haven't met before. No offense Lord Hermes." The god of messengers nodded his head with a subdued smile.
"Of course, no problem. I'm only here to deliver father's ultimatum if you refused." Hermes said.
"I'm sorry I failed to kill the other demon before it could regain its godhood." Nero said.
"It isn't your job to fight upstarts in our territory. But yea you fucked up. She's harder to deal with than her husband would have been." Aphrodite said. Nero blinked at her outburst. Something was up.
"Language, he's only a child." Hermes admonished.
"Sorry, that goddess is a sore spot." Aphrodite said.
Artemis chuckled at a glaring Aphrodite. "Since you can't teleport and I have no desire to see you naked again at the council, you'll ride with me on my chariot."
"Oh, before I forget. Here is a message from one of your friends." Nero took a small scroll and read it.
'Dear Nero
Your notebook has been sent back to headquarters. Don't forget to email boss lady your report and conclusion based off the evidence given. Remember to double line and think through your theories before posting your report. The other patrons will be able to review your work. Good luck with the Olympians and don't draw too much attention to the organization.
From Trisha
PS. I owe you a blowjob.'
Nero rolled his eyes at the message and pocketed the scroll. "Good news I hope." Hermes said.
"That depends. How good is a Lamia's blow job?" Nero asked the deity of thieves.
"They can bring a god to their knees." Hermes whispered. He felt the glare from Artemis and tightened his toga.
"Just fact checking." He said and hopped on the chariot. She snapped the reins and they took off quickly gaining altitude.
He stared at the reindeer in front of the chariot that could be mistaken for a slay. "Artemis, are you secretly Santa Claus?" The goddess groaned while the deer took off.