XXI
"The fog is too thick to find their tracks," Rei said stopping at the edge of the Mist Valley (aka Niflhiem). "Bet you could cut it with a knife," Yoshino agreed sticking her hand into the dense fog. "They probably got lost in there," Sei said. "Someone is coming," Yōko exclaimed. "Quick, into the fog where we can hide ourselves," Yoshino said sarcastically but the others thought it was a good idea.
The ground shook lightly as the stumping sound started to sounded closer and closer by the minute. "You think it be hard to set a trap, but it turned out rather well no?" the voice was definitely woman, though they didn't know what she's talking about or who she's talking to since the fog truly is thick. A loud meow told them that it might be to a cat that she's talking to, maybe she's crazy? "Me too," the woman said and there's a deep silence that ensued. "Hm, I smell fresh meats!" she said raising her voice just as the cat started to hissed. "Down girl," the voice said and suddenly the ground started to shook violently that sent the others airborne along with the ride. A net came out and caught them, the four women and their mounts were completely caught in the net and though they tried to break free from it, but it was proven to be a waste of time.
"You people think you can enter this place without consequences?" the woman on the giant beast asked as she got the beast to start moving deeper into the fog. "Travelers aren't welcomed here," she continued. "Well, you all are going to make a tasty snack for our baby here," her voice become deep and calm making the others felt somewhat unnerved.
MgM
"Wha? What are you doing with the enemies?" Yoshino shouted when the other two were simply enjoying tea while she and the others were tied up like a wild animal. "We're not enemies, we're married." Shimako was the first to answer and that shocked the other four women enough that their jaw practically dropped onto the floor gaping at the flushing miko. "And she's my woman," Yumi added pointing over at Sachiko, who was sitting very close to her.
"Well, since you all know each other, I'm sure Dante wouldn't mind if I let you guys go." Hannah interrupted. But as soon as she let go of them, Yoshino leaped for Yumi aiming to rip the windpipe out of her. Somewhere from behind her, a metal gauntlet moved and punched the thin air; electrical charge surged through the air and struck Yoshino in the back causing her to drop on the floor instantly before she even reached Yumi. Such suddenness caused everyone to turned and look at the source of such power, and there Dante stood tall and proud extending her right fist in front of her with static energy surged about the glove.
"Anyone else want a go?" Dante asked withdrawing her hand back to her side. "I'll take that as a no then," she continued. It was not a problem for anyone after that, as they all know that there's no winning against a person who had captured them with ease in the first place.
MgM
"The preparation is complete; Ares should be heading this way soon." Dante said in a large room with only a single candle being lit in the middle of the table. "Good work, soon all the gods in the world will learn that this world no longer need them around," said an oni mask-clad person emerging into the flickering light of the candle. "Indeed," Dante nodded her head. "This wretched world will soon feel the wraths of the gods, and then I will put the gods in their places," the figure said while clenching his fist before him to show determination of what's to come. "I ask for nothing in return, just to be left in peace when all of this is over," Dante said with an impassive look on her face. "You have my words," the figure replied respectfully at her.
The secret meeting was over before anyone noticed that Dante was missing, a good conversation was in progress in the backyard and drinks were poured into cups. The young demis talked passionately about their ideal life as they've warmed up to each other. Hannah stood inside and watched them, still fledgling and has yet to feel the pain of what the gods could inflict upon just because they no longer of value to the gods. It was something Hannah recall but do not care to remember, because today there will be more chaos than before though she hoped that it doesn't come to a tragic end.
"She's not down there, so I took two bottles instead of waiting for her." Yumi said coming up behind Hannah. "Just try not to get them too drunk," Hannah giggled lightly and Yumi just laughed while nodding her head. "Good point," Yumi replied before stepping outside again.
"They're wonderful specimen aren't they?" Dante's voice echoed as a pair of strong arms wrapped around Hannah's waist. "Indeed they are," Hannah replied. "How long until Ares get here with his swarm of pest?" Hannah added. "It won't be long, maybe tomorrow or the next day," Dante replied. "So the stage is set," Hannah murmured. "Yes, it's time we sit back and watch the show," Dante nodded. "Who amongst them will come out on top?" Hannah asked no one in particular. "The one with the strong survival instinct," Dante answered anyway.
Like an omen, the looming chaos isn't too far away, keeping her words, Dante had gone to Mt. Olympus and provoked Ares in declaring war against her but she was gone before he could even attempted to kill her. After all, she walked in on him and Aphrodite and cooed the woman away with her, she even so much as wooing all the goddesses on Mt. Olympus, something even Zeus couldn't do. At first, the gods had paid her no attention; until the only name Aphrodite could say was Dante did they take it seriously. But it was too late, all the goddesses were found barely clothed lying exhausted in a Hera's bedroom where Zeus rarely visited. This to say that there's more than meet the eye, as Hera a woman who loved Zeus enough to done so many terrible things now fallen under Dante's spell.
"You hadn't done anything lecherous to them have you?" Hannah asked. "My love, time is such a precious thing and illusion grant us entertainments that will lead us into a new era without the gods," Dante said laughing lightly at the notion of her wife thinking she would ever cheated on with someone else. "And where will that leave us?" Hannah asked. "We are neither gods nor human, but when this is all over." Dante paused. "I shall take you home with me," she continued. No one ever knew of Dante's whereabouts, and where was she from, even Hannah who had been married to Dante for centuries never once know the true identity of Dante.
A/N: sorry for the major length of not posting. my brain was crashing every five minutes (dead serious) and I wanted to sleep more than writing lately. anyway, hoping next chapter come to me soon. ja~