Thank you to everyone who took the time to read and comment last chapter, all the love really helped keep me motivated while writing.
Fencer29 – Actually, originally I was thinking of making Stain a monster. Like come up with my own monster that targets those it feels are unworthy but liked the idea of him stealing Momo away too much in this scene to go that route. XD
Nejitenfan – I'm so glad you liked Stain and Overhauls intros. I had been planning that chapter for a while.
Mihairu7 – Yeah, poor Momo. She's having a rough month. The sad thing here, if you read between the lines, was that Tokoyami was going to apologize but got all worked up after his conversation with Todoroki and so ended up chickening out. But things will work out soon.
AHHH! I'm so glad you noticed! Yes, Todo is becoming softttt. And Momo is growing more confident to approach him.
And that's exactly it! Everyone was stuck in place for 10 years because of the war and had to suppress who they were in order to survive that now that the war is done they are figuring out who they really are and what they want - but at different times.
Oh good! I'm so glad you were okay with Stain. Honestly, I was really debating about him. Like I REALLY wanted the scene of him stealing Momo away but also knew he is pretty ooc so was a bit nervous.
KeroKeroNyao – SAME! I'm glad you can feel the tension between them and how they always go to find each other. They are so in love without knowing it.
I know right? Slow burns are beautiful torture, but the romance is right around the corner. Just one more chapter to go and then we will be at the romance.
AleksR - Thank you for reading and leaving such a kind review! I'm glad I could write something you could enjoy!
As always, thank you so much to my awesome betas C's Melody and FlourChildWrites. Also shout out to Marte for giving me the idea for two of the characters in this chapter.
Chapter 16: We Can (Not) Persevere
'Shit.'
There was a whistling sound by his ear. Shouto flung himself to the side as white magic darted past his head. It hit the dirt with a loud crack, splaying pebbles and dried twigs into the air.
He stumbled and caught his footing, then took off running again. He made it a few meters when something flickered to his right.
Shouto braced himself and twisted, bringing Endeavor up as a large stymphalian slammed into him.
It was like being hit by a giant boulder. There was a high-pitched ring as Endeavor struck against crystallized structures. Sharp pain ran up his arms. Shouto hissed. He dug his sandals into the dry dirt to keep himself from flying backwards and into the unconscious pirates as the creature loomed over him.
The monster was bigger than a regular stymphalian and more humanoid. Its face still appeared bird-like with a giant beak and slit black eyes, but its body was that of a man with dark wings sprouting from its back. And it had magic.
A Teppodama Hassaishu.
A crackling sounded from the stymphalian; dark magic coated its body as crystals broke through its human-like skin.
It stepped forward, pushing against Endeavor. Its bronze beak inched closer to Shouto's face. His arms shook as he strained against the stymphalian's greater weight.
From downwind, the smoke and ash from the brush fire blew against Shouto's back. Magic sparked in his veins, reacting to the heat and filling him with a tingling sensation. Shouto didn't pause as he called on it.
Red flames flared along Shouto's left arm. The Teppodama Hassaishu jumped back, narrowly avoiding being singed by the fire.
Shouto tsked and canceled his magic.
It wasn't enough. He still wasn't fully recovered. The stymphalian's attack the night before had opened a small hole in the barrier keeping his power at bay but it was too small to be useful in battle. If only he were stronger he'd have been healed by now and been able to defeat these monsters easily. Shouto tightened his hands around Endeavor's hilt.
Around him, the stymphalian formed a loose semicircle, seeming to reassess the situation. Whatever unease they felt, Shouto knew it wouldn't last long. As soon as the monsters realized he couldn't command his magic, they'd attack again.
He inhaled through his nose and adjusted his stance. The smoke and ash from the fire stung his lungs, but he ignored the heat as he tried to formulate a plan.
Without his magic and not knowing what these Minotaur-esque creatures' powers were, the best option was for Shouto to draw the Teppodama Hassaishu off and fight them one-on-one. It would take precious time from departing after Yaoyorozu, but it was the only way.
His heart pounded, but Shouto didn't have time to think. Time was up. One of the Teppodama Hassaishu broke from the group and barreled towards him. Its arms rotated faster and faster as if they were on an axle. Shouto flung himself to the right. There was an open section between the monsters, and he darted for it.
The Teppodama Hassaishu screeched and rushed after him. The sound of their wings beating frantically against the air closed in on him. At the last second, Shouto faked his step.
The stymphalian's rotating arms flung past him and slammed into a large boulder. Its fists connected with a sickening crunch, splattering rock into the air as if the stone were made of glass.
Shouto didn't pause to think about what would have happened if he had been hit. He stepped forward. The creature turned and swung its arms down. Shouto lunged.
There was a sharp tugging sensation in his hands, but he ignored it. He dodged the creature's rotating fists and flicked his sword up towards the stymphalian's throat.
But nothing happened.
Shouto's eyes widened, and he stared in horror at his empty hands.
'Fuck.'
The creature's eye's glinted in victory, and its fists dropped down towards him. Shouto dodged, jumping back but without a weapon, he wouldn't last long.
Suddenly, an ear-splitting scream echoed across the mountain.
It was like Chronos had stopped time. The battle froze, and all eyes darted toward one of the smaller stymphalian, screeching in agony.
Shouto's chest tightened as he stared at the creature. The smaller stymphalian was holding Endeavor. It kept screaming and thrashing, trying to release the sword, but the creature could neither tolerate the weapon nor release it. Black flames erupted along its hands and spread up its arms until the stymphalian's entire body was alight in dark fire.
The monster writhed one final time and then fell to the ground, turning to ash and sand. Endeavor glinted in the dirt where the stymphalian had stood.
A sharp silence descended on the stymphalian as the other creatures stood stunned, but it gave Shouto the chance he needed. He darted past the Teppodama Hassaishu towards Endeavor.
His movement snapped the creatures from their paralysis. The stymphalian screamed in rage and charged after him.
Shouto pushed his body faster. He had almost reached Endeavor. But behind him, Shouto could hear the Teppodama Hassaishu closing in. Dark magic filled the air.
Shouto slid. Dirt and rough pebbles cut into his flesh, but he didn't slow down. Shouto reached out and grabbed Endeavor just as magic sliced his shoulder. He hissed and tried to scramble to his feet, but his movements were slow. He felt disorientation seep through his mind. It was the same phenomena that had happened when Yaoyorozu had been kidnapped — time magic.
He gritted his teeth and forced himself to move. The monster he had just escaped was almost on him. Dark magic flared around the stymphalian's arms as they began spinning faster and faster.
Shouto jumped back, but his actions were sluggish as if he were being held down by giant weights. He wouldn't be able to dodge this time.
The monster's fist came down. Shouto's stomach tightened as he prepared for the pain, but it didn't come. Before the creature's fists connected, there was a sizzling sound. Black shadows erupted from the ground forming a wall of inky darkness between them.
The stymphalian screeched. There was a loud boom as its fists collided with the darkness. The shadows trembled but held.
Shouto staggered back. Relief washed over him as a figure appeared out of the fog. "Tokoyami!"
The Trojan raced towards him. "Todoroki! What's going on?"
"Yaoyorozu, she's been kidnapped, and the orphanage is under attack!"
"What?!"
"Someone — a Trojan — is working with these things. He took Yaoyorozu down the mountain a few minutes ago."
"And you let him take her?" The reproach in Tokoyami's voice was overt. "Didn't you say you'd protect her?"
The wall of black shadows was disintegrating.
They didn't have time to argue. Shouto swallowed the sour taste in his mouth. He adjusted his fingers. His movements were a little better. The time magic didn't last long.
"I can't. Haimawari and Rin are alive. I can't go after her without defeating these creatures."
Tokoyami raised his head as the last of the shadows evaporated. "I see." His eyes glittered with rage. "Then we better send these monsters back to Tartarus quickly and go after her."
Despite himself, Shouto felt a small smile pull at his lips. He shifted into position. His heartbeat quickened. They could do this if they worked together.
"HEYO!"
The boisterous voice made Shouto start. He jerked back as a man with short blond hair appeared out of the smoke wearing nothing but a brown chlamys and gold sandals.
The man shot past Shouto and Tokoyami and cut through the ranks of stymphalian.
The large stymphalian with rotating arms aimed at the man, but he was fast. The newcomer slammed his sword into the monster's belly. The creature screamed in pain, its stomach cut open. It slammed its fist down onto the blonde-haired man, but he was already gone.
"Don't worry! Mirio, son of Hermes, is here to help!" The man laughed as he darted towards another stymphalian. The new target howled, and dark magic shrouded its body as it grew bigger and bigger.
Across the space, the stymphalian with the disorientation magic was summoning power. Mirio hadn't noticed. Shouto opened his mouth to warn the son of Hermes, but before he could call out, a giant octopus tentacle emerged from the smoke and wrapped around the stymphalian's neck.
The creature flailed, and Shouto's eyes widened as his gaze followed the octopus arm back to the figure emerging from the smoke. It was a young man about Mirio's age. He was skinnier than the son of Hermes, with black hair that almost appeared blue in the fog. Around his shoulders, he wore a black chlamys over his chiton.
The stymphalian went limp. The man's octopus arm dropped the creature unceremoniously onto the ground as it retracted, turning back into a human arm.
The remaining stymphalian darted around in confusion. Shouto watched in awe as the two men sliced and strangled their way through the creatures.
They were strong.
Something shimmered beside them, and Shouto looked up.
"Hado!" Tokoyami gasped.
The aurai smiled broadly. "Look! Look!" she pointed at the blonde and dark-haired men. "I came back with reinforcements! Hado is a good girl." The aurai sang as she flipped through the air.
Shouto looked back at the scene, but the fight was over. The Teppodama Hassaishu were defeated.
The blonde man sheathed his sword and looked up, smiling broadly. "Mirio, son of Hermes!" he said, striding towards them. "And this is-"
The other man hesitated before shifting forward. His gaze fell to the floor as he shuffled his feet in the dirt. "Tamaki. Son of Dionysius…"
Shouto swallowed. They had defeated the stymphalian so easily. Were these the reinforcements Aizawa had spoken about?
Mirio's beady blue eyes met his. His smile dropped. "So, what's the situation?"
"And why are the stymphalian moving around during daytime?" Tamaki asked softly, hardly looking up from the ground.
Shouto's stomach twisted, and he explained the situation quickly.
Mirio's expression turned grim as he spoke. "Looks like we got here just in time. I'll grab the pirates, then let's get going."
"You go on ahead," Shouto said quickly. "I'm going after Yaoyorozu. She was taken by the one behind all of this."
"And I'm going with you," Tokoyami said, his voice firm and brokering no room for argument. His hands curled into fists at his side. "I will aid in extracting vengeance on the creature of darkness."
Mirio studied them for a moment then nodded. "Alright. We'll bring these two back and help Aizawa with the orphanage."
Shouto sheathed Endeavor, then turned towards Tokoyami. "Yaoyorozu was taken towards the beach. We don't have time going the long way. Will you be okay going through the fire?"
Tokoyami's expression hardened. "I'll manage."
Shouto gave a short nod. His chest constricted. "Okay. Let's hurry." He turned towards the fire.
Yaoyorozu.
His hand tightened around his sword. She would be okay. Yaoyorozu was smart and strong, she'd find a way to survive until they got there. His heartbeat quickened.
"Wait!"
Shouto reluctantly paused at the soft voice as Dionysus' son approached and looked at Tokoyami from under his hood. "You were the one using dark magic earlier?"
Tokoyami nodded.
Dionysus' son reached into his cloak. "Dark magic is weakest during the day. Take this with you."
Tokoyami held out his hand, and Dionysus's son dropped a single, small dark bean into his palm. "It's a nuxta bean. It will help you boost your magic in the light. Take it only if you need it. It's strong but...volatile. You may lose control over your magic if you aren't careful."
Tokoyami curled his fingers over the bean and pocketed it in his chiton. "Thank you."
Tamaki nodded, and Shouto and Tokoyami didn't waste any more time as they took off down the mountain and into the fire after Yaoyorozu.
Red and blue flames licked at their heels as they tore down the burning cliffs.
The heat was suffocating. Naturally, Shouto had some immunity, but the fire slowed Tokoyami down. He glanced at the half-human as they ran. The flames and smoke had scorched Tokoyami's feathers, and his skin was red and welted.
Sensing his stare, Tokoyami's yellow bird-like eyes shifted to the side to glance at Shouto. "Don't worry about me. I can handle this inferno." His voice was harsher than usual.
Shouto's lips thinned, but he didn't get a chance to respond as suddenly the fire broke and they came to the rocky coastline of the island.
Shouto's hand flew to his sword, his blood pounding, but there was no one. They were alone.
Tokoyami keeled over, coughing and breathing raggedly. "Do you see tracks or any sign of Yaoyorozu?"
Shouto's jaw tightened. He straightened and scanned the beach, but there wasn't much. Unlike the picturesque shorelines of Southern Greece, the coast of the island was made of stones. Boulders of varying shapes and sizes jutted out of the ground like a natural warning to visitors. And with the magicked fog still blanketing the island, it was hard to see further than a few meters.
Shouto rolled his jaw and turned towards the ocean. He froze. His stomach curled in dread.
"Anything?" Tokoyami asked, straightening.
Shouto's lips thinned. "Yeah," he forced out.
Tokoyami stepped up next to him and followed Shouto's gaze out over the water. "Is that-"
On the horizon, half-obscured by the fog, floated a small boat carrying a man with a long gold-tipped beak covering his mouth. Around his shoulders draped the purple and green colors of the god of nightmares.
"Overhaul! He must be the one behind all of this." Shouto swallowed and set his jaw. His hand tightened on Endeavor. "We'll have to swim." He took a step towards the water. "He must have Yaoyorozu."
Movement from the corner of his eye caught his attention.
"Todoroki!"
Shouto twisted, jumping back as a knife shot out of the fog. It embedded into his shoulder. Shouto hissed between his teeth and reached up, pulling it out as the nose-less man appeared on a boulder a few meters away.
"I won't let you go, Spartan!" The nose-less man screeched, charging forward with inhumane speed. "You're mine!"
Shouto's fingers flew to Endeavor, but he barely had time to pull the sword out before the Trojan was upon him.
'Fast.'
A knife flashed upwards towards Shouto's stomach. He countered and stumbled back, but the nose-less man didn't let him adjust.
He flipped his grip on the knife and slashed up. Shouto tensed, but before the blade struck, the Trojan jumped back. Black shadows crashed down with a resounding boom into the spot the nose-less man had stood like a waterfall of black velurer.
"Todoroki!" Tokoyami rasped, running up next to him.
"I'm fine," Shouto said. Blood ran down his arm and pattered onto the rocks below his feet, but Shouto ignored the wound. Not taking his eyes off of the nose-less man, he slid into a defensive stance. "Thanks."
The nose-less man tsked and pulled another knife from his chiton. He looked between them, and then his eyes narrowed on Tokoyami. "I know you." He sneered, his face contorting in displeasure. "You're the monster from Apollo's temple."
"I was…" Tokoyami said, his shadows curled around his legs.
"Why are you fighting with this dishonorable Greek? Help me kill him and restore honor to Troy."
"No."
"What?!"
Tokoyami hesitated, then swallowed, and his expression hardened. "The war is over. We have to move on."
Shouto's eyes widened.
The nose-less man's expression contorted with rage. "Then die!" he snarled, darting forward.
"Todoroki," Tokoyami screamed. Black shadows erupted from the ground. They shot towards the nose-less man like arrows reigning down on a battlefield.
The nose-less man twisted, dodging. Then he charged towards Shouto.
He brought up Endeavor and parried the nose-less man's knives before shadows shot between them.
The nose-less man flipped back. And as he landed on a rock, he shot knives at Shouto.
"Todoroki," Tokoyami said, summoning shadows to block the attack. "Go get Yaoyorozu."
Shouto looked at him sharply. "What?"
Tokoyami used his shadows to push the nose-less man back. Then he spoke softly for only Shouto to hear. "I can't swim, and if we take too long fighting, it may be too late for Yaoyorozu. I'll take care of this fallen soldier. You get Yaoyorozu." He reached up, and Shouto saw the bean Dionysius' son had given Tokoyami in between his fingertips. "I'll-I'll try trusting you."
Shouto's heart pounded. He swallowed and then set his jaw. "Okay. I'll leave him to you then," he said, turning and taking off towards the ocean.
"NO!" The nose-less man screeched.
"Fated enemy I am your opponent."
Shouto didn't look back. His feet pounded against the rocks as he ran towards the water.
The fog thickened around him, as if it had a will of its own. And a mocking and all too familiar voice echoed through the haze.
'You're not going to make it, little brother. Overhaul won't let you win.'
Shouto grit his teeth and pushed himself faster. He'd make it. He had to. He'd promised he'd come for Yaoyorozu. And the person she considered her family finally put his faith in him. Shouto wouldn't let them down.
'What are you fighting for?' Fukukado's words rattled through him, and Shouto realized the answer was simple. He was fighting for those he had come to care about. For their future and happiness.
Yaoyorozu's smile flashed through his mind. Her laughter. The feeling of her hand in his. Her determination as she stood up to him. A strange feeling filled Shouto's chest. And he realized that regardless of Kaminari's arrow, he was glad he met Yaoyorozu. He was glad it was her he had fallen for.
Suddenly, all the emotions, the companionship and admiration, all the magic from Kaminari's arrow — he felt it lace through him, sizzling and cracking. And then there was nothing more holding him back.
Roaring magic surged from his every pore.
The temperature dropped. Ice erupted from under his sandals, freezing everything in his path.
The ice crackled as it hit the ocean. It ran along the water, freezing the waves mid-break into icy statues.
Shouto jumped over the breaking waves and tore across the ice.
"Yaoyorozu!" he screamed.
The fog dissipated, and he could clearly see the small fishing boat stuck in the middle of the ocean.
A tall man with short brown hair stepped out and onto the ice. The cloak around his shoulders curled around his frame, decorated with purple and green plumage. A long mask covered his mouth and nose.
The man held out his arms, and his golden eyes shone through the remnants of the fog. "Greetings, Shouto Todoroki, son of Ares. I didn't expect you so soon." His voice droned. "But it seems trash can't even do its job right."
Shouto skidded to a stop and glared at the god. "Where's Yaoyorozu?"
Overhaul's eyes narrowed. "Is that any way to greet a god?" he asked slowly.
Shouto stared at him with all the fury he felt coiling inside his chest.
Overhaul sighed. He turned slightly and held out his hand towards the boat behind him.
Shouto took a chance and glanced behind the god. A dark shape in the boat twitched, and he realized with horror that it was Yaoyorozu. His stomach twisted viscously.
"Yaoyorozu!" he gasped, taking a hesitant step forward.
Her face was contorted in agony; her body jerked, but she didn't open her eyes. He looked back at the god. Shouto's magic crackled along his skin. "What did you do to her?" His voice quivered with rage.
Overhaul's eyes glittered. "Nothing fatal," he said conversationally. "At least not yet. Just gave her some dreams to hold her over until we are done."
"Why are you doing this? I thought you hated monsters."
Overhaul snorted. "A little something to pay you back for all the trouble you've caused. Dabi's been complaining nonstop since your fight. It's been slightly aggravating, so I decided to have a little fun. I may have gone a little overboard though." He adjusted his glove. "You will want to hurry, son of Ares, if you want to save her from her nightmares. It will be tragic if she drowns in her tears."
"Overhaul," Shouto hissed.
The god smirked, then his eyes flickered, and his expression grew hard. "Come, Shouto Todoroki. If you want your woman, you will have to beat me."
I hope you enjoyed! I had a hard time with this chapter. I couldn't get the pacing right so had to re-write the whole chapter a couple of times. I hope you liked how it turned out.
One more chapter to go for this arc! Then we will finally be at the romance!
Notes:
Chronos - God of time.
Tartarus - the infernal regions of ancient Greek mythology. The name was originally used for the deepest region of the world, the lower of the two parts of the underworld, where the gods locked up their enemies.
Chlamys - The chlamys was a seamless rectangle of woolen material worn by men for military or hunting purposes. It was worn as a cloak and fastened at the right shoulder with a brooch or button. This is Hermes's signature garment. In pictures, Hermes wore a chlamys with nothing else underneath.
Nuxta bean – something I made up. Nuxta is Greek for night.