Apollo didn't know what to do tonight.
"Marth should be in Columbia if what Skyfire told me is true. " Said.
Apollo decided that heading to the training room would be his best bet, since Closure was gone he couldn't go to the gremlin of a vampire and annoy her or see her struggle to take or hide any of his stuff.
Once Apollo made his way to his favorite training room he was greeted by two familiar faces.
"Hellagur, Akafuyu. Glad to see you two." Apollo said as he pulled out three suckers and passed one to both of them.
"Good evening Apollo, what brings you here?" Hellagur asked.
"Just bored, I know I should be in my room studying something Nian gave me but I don't want to use brain power right now."
"Shouldn't a teacher be a role model for their students, what if they heard you say that?" Akafuyu said as she enjoyed the treat Apollo gave her.
"They would be but they aren't here so it doesn't matter. Beyond that, what were you two doing?" Apollo replied as he enjoyed the sucker.
"I asked Hellagur if he could train with me tonight, we were just about to get started." Akafuyu answered.
"Basically you are still upset about what happened in Minos and want to beat the old man, right?" Apollo asked.
The dead silence afterward and an expression mixed with embarrassment and annoyance was the answer Apollo needed.
"Well I won't be in your hair for much longer, I'll just watch from the sidelines." Apollo said as he moved away and sat himself down leaning on a nearby wall.
While Apollo didn't spend a lot of time with these due even back at Minos he did understand that from what little he saw and whispers from others that both were incredible swordsmen. The two swordsmen pulled out their wooden swords which were a good replication of their normal weapons.
Moments passed as Apollo noticed various changes. The air stilled, time seemed to slow, and the intensity between the two warriors was present for all to see. Akafuyu had her katana slightly in front of her, hilt close to her face with her shoulders wide and apart. Hellagur had his nodachi closer to the floor, his hilt almost parallel to his hips.
As Apollo observed the two, he was able to be on the same basic wavelength as them. As if an imaginary clock went off both swordsmen dash toward each other. Akafuyu tried getting close but Hellagur responded with a slash aiming for her chest, due to the length difference between the swords Hellagur managed to outrange Akafuyu.
As Akafuyu continued to strike Hellagur smoothly countered each attack, while the experience difference between the two is clear it was still not a walk in the park for the old general. Apollo was impressed how someone of such old age is able to be so nimble and powerful, even more, so that to Apollo's knowledge Hellagur is in every way normal. No divine blood, no supernatural powers; all Apollo could see in him was skill and experience.
The two continued to clash while Apollo observed everything, each step, each swing, their eyes, their arms, everything about them Apollo noticed and followed. As the spar went on Apollo had an idea of what Hellagur was doing, each strike Akafuyu sustained was a counterattack from Hellagur, never did he go on the attack. The intention became clear to Apollo.
"I say that's enough for tonight." Hellagur said as he countered attack another one of Akafuyu's strikes by hitting her knee causing her to kneel.
"Wait! Can we have one more go at it?" Akafuyu asked as she got up.
"As much as I would love to, one's sleep is nearly equally as important as their skill." Hellagur said.
The swordswoman couldn't disagree with the statement and accept it. "Then I'll call it a night here. Thank you for spending your night here." Akafuyu said as she bowed her head.
"It's no large deal. Just rest easy, perhaps when Yato and others come back we can have a little event for us." Hellagur said.
"That's something I wouldn't miss." She replied.
Akafuyu said her goodbyes to Hellagur and Apollo for retiring for the night. Leaving only the old general and otherworldly traveler.
"I say that's quite a way to teach someone, I like it." Apollo said as he gave a thumbs up.
"Glad to hear that, actually Apollo would it be too much if I took some of your time tonight?" The general asked.
"While I am free all night, sorry to disappoint but not looking for a relationship." Apollo replied jokingly.
A small smirk appeared on Hellagur's face. "Not the question but to see you just as jokative as you were back in Mino."
The man's expression changed into a more serious form. "I want to ask you about the enemy that attacked Lady Pallas, I heard that you and the shielder from Silverash's side subdued them, however from what I've seen you don't appear to be someone with much combat experience."
"I'm glad you asked me that because I was going to ask you for a favor. If you are too tired then you can decline, but I was wondering if you are willing to go for one more match." Apollo asked as he walked towards the space where Akafuyu and Hellagur were sparring.
Hellagur was slightly surprised at Apollo's seeming answer to his, but Hellagur had the energy to spare.
"I can go for one more, but aren't you going to need a training weapon?" Hellagur asked.
Apollo picked up the wooden blade that Akafuyu used. "This will be just fine." Apollo said as he entered a stance.
Hellagur noticed something instantly. Apollo didn't hold the wooden sword like a novice, but instead someone who has fought countless battles similar to himself. Just like the spar beforehand, everything reached a standstill. An imagery timer went off as Apollo dashed forward for an attack.
Hellagur responded with a similar move as he did against Akafuyu, parrying the attack to create space, however, what Apollo did catch him off guard.
Apollo didn't budge, as if his feet were one with the ground. To Hellagur it felt as if he was striking a boulder, no rather it felt as if he attacked a waterfall. Both unmovable yet fluid, that was the best way Hellagur could understand Apollo.
The two continued to trade clashes creating a sweet spot for both the nodachi and katana. Attacks on both sides were attempts but all were parried by their opponent. With each attack Apollo, like Hellagur, started to understand something about each other.
Apollo learned that Hellagur's race was similar to an eagle. Hellagur's eyes saw everything, every strike, every instance of movement. Apollo's heart started to ache, no, throb with excitement. He could feel the cube inside him start to spin, although slowly.
After a flurry of clashes, the distance between the two grew. The two fighters looked into the other's gaze as they both mentally agreed this would be the last strike. Both entered the stance for their final attack. Apollo inhaled and exhaled as he felt his body loosen. The next moment Apollo took a step causing the ground behind him to crack slightly as he pushed his blade down.
As the blade was in motion he looked into the general's eyes, and a single thought passed his mind.
'The eyes of an eagle sure are sharp.'
As the swords clashed the ground under Hellagur cracked but the general long past his prime years stayed standing. Seeing this Apollo's grip on the sword loosened even more.
"I'll take this as my defeat. I would be scared to fight you back when you were in your physical prime Hellagur." Apollo said with a smile on his face.
The general dropped his guard. "That was an enjoyable spar if we had real weapons and had to fight till one of us drops. It will certainly be a difficult task for me to beat you."
"Hellagur, while you may not realize it. You reached a level with the sword that not many will ever reach. You are a person with talent, skill, and experience built over the years. I feel that if you had more time you would reach a level that even the gods would fear." Apollo said.
"That is truly high praise from you, but I doubt my swordsmanship ever be enough to fight a god." Hellagur responded.
"Then we'll agree to disagree, but with that, I'll retire for the night. Thank you for sparing me." Apollo said.
"The pleasure is all mine, I'm sure Akafuyu would love to fight you." He said.
"Maybe, but one last thing. Can you keep this spar between us?" Apollo asked.
"No problem, I'm sure you have a good reason. Good night Apollo." Hellagur agreed.
"Thank you and good night." Apollo said as he left the room.
Once confirmed he was by himself, he gripped where his heart would be. 'That should hold me over for a little bit. I swear that if Hellagur had more time he would be at the level of a servant.'
Night came and went as the Rhodes Island team in Columbia started what they came here to do, business. In front of them stood a large dome-like building, various important-looking people flowing in and wearing various outfits. Suits, dresses, and everything in between was present, each giving an idea of where the person came from.
"So many rich people are here, I feel out of place here." Marth said.
"You'll get used to it. People are going to judge what you wear no matter what, so don't bother too much." Closure said as she snacks on a breakfast sandwich.
"I love and hate these gatherings so much." Warfarin said as he pinched his nose. "Too many egos coming together, and the after-parties are even worse. Someone always leaves upset." Warfarin said as annoyance leaked into her voice, less than staler memories of her younger years resurfacing every year.
"Anyway, before Vammpy here gets too upset, let's head in." Closure said as she made her way toward the building.
The team followed suit, getting past security and ending up in a massive ballroom of sorts. People from different nations were clearly visible to everyone else.
"So let's split up here, one half will go with Warfraim; while the other half will follow me." Closure said.
"I can agree with that. Does anyone have someone they wished to guard in specific?" Ansel asked. "I'll be with Warfraim so I can witness the medical conference.
"Melantha, Marth, and I will be with Closure." Cardigan said as she dragged the two by their hands.
Once the teams were made the two groups went their own separate ways inside the ballroom. The conferences won't be happening for a while so they simply enjoyed whatever the place had to offer, which is a lot.
Marth made sure the hat she brought was snuggly on her head so that her horns weren't visible. Gladly they were small so it is possible to do so, everyone else was in their normal attire letting whatever racial feature open for the world to see. Marth couldn't understand how Closure or Warfraim could be so confident in themselves. To her, showing people she is a sarkaz was so hard to gasp.
Marth mindlessly walked through the ballroom keeping to the edges as she didn't do well in crowded areas. As she walked, someone stuck out, someone familiar. A person who is as fierce as a dragon, the person in question soon locked eyes with Marth.
"Marth is that you?"
A familiar voice confirmed Marth's suspension.
"Ms. Swire! It's good to see you again." Marth said as she gave her a hug. Chen, Hoshiguma, and Swire are the other people she feels completely safe around. The two stay like that for a moment before they continue to talk.
"I'm kinda upset, you know, you left without saying bye to me. I had to leave for work early that morning but the dragon bitch and Hoshiguma told me what happened, so how are you, Marth?" Swire asked as she took a sip of her drink.
"I'm doing good, the company that Mr. Apollo and I are working for is here, and I'm with them right now." She responded.
"So where is that idiot man-child then, still need to bother him about him sleeping in my car. Now I have to check every day so that no one else is in there, it's a pain if I'm being completely honest." Swire said, taking another swing of her drink.
"Ms. Swire I wanted to ask why you and Ch'en are so you know-"
"Constantly talking trash about one another. Simple, while we both trust that we can get whatever work we need to be done. That woman is just too much at times, she is stubborn and uncompromising. Traits that have a lot of ups and downs, not to mention she doesn't feel a shred of remorse whenever she breaks something from me." Swire said as her free hand was tightening.
Marth could watch as Swire's emotions were on clear display, but she is impressed by how fast Swire is able to go from being calm to anger and then back to calm. 'First Ms. Closure and Ms. Warfraim, now Ms. Swire and Ms. Chen. Why are so many duos constantly budding heads with each other? I just hope Mr. Apollo and I don't get that way.
"Is there anyone else you are with? or Ms. Chen?" Marth asked.
"Someone else from Lungmen is here with me but they aren't a part of the LGD." Swire explained.
The two continued to talk before an announcement came over the speaker system informing everyone that the conference was going to start. Marth and Swire said their goodbyes and went to their respective groups.
The conference room was grand, that is the word Marth would use to describe the space. Countless rows of seats and fancy marks covered the seats and stage. Many seemingly high-class people likely with high-class personalities were flowing into the space. The members who aren't used to this setting had expressions of awe of varying degrees.
Marth however had her mind wander to the last bit of the conversation she had with Swire.
"I hoped to see Apollo so I can get some answers on how he got in my car."
"Didn't Mr. Apollo not know?"
"That is what he claims. I'm sharing this with you because I worry for your safety. We ran a check on him and found nothing about him. No name, no history, no trace of him existing. Even the poorest members of society have some history attached to them but Apollo had nothing."
"Th-that is odd. Could it be because he isn't a resident of Lungmen? After all, you didn't have anything on me either."
"That is only true to an extent, while officially you had nothing. However when an investigation was done people testified to seeing you before meeting Apollo, so you check out. However none of them even some well-traveled citizens didn't recognize him or anything connecting to him. To make things worse we even check Yan databases and whatever our allies are willing to share and even then, nothing came up for Apollo."
"So what do you want to ask me?" Marth's heart quickened, wondering what Swire is pushing towards. To Marth, Apollo was the closest thing she had to a brother. He would cook for her, take her to eat, and teach her things even beyond magecraft. She felt safe around him.
"I checked the footage of that day from when I pulled to when Apollo was found."
"So what happened?"
"For the entire recording the only one who opened my trunk was me and it is clear that Apollo wasn't inside, but somehow the second time I opened the trunk he was there unconscious along with blood samples of another person we don't know."
The pit in Marth's stomach only grew the longer the conversation went on. Her already sweaty palms got moister.
"Marth, do you know who Apollo is?"