Chapter 1.2

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Stepping forward from the three, the elder Morrígan, Babd, regarded Vatra and the others with a nod of her head. Gray hair fell in a braid to the middle of her back. She drew the thinning hair over her shoulder.

Badb wore a black cloak closed at the front with a golden clasp of a crow. She plucked at it with her weathered hand, as if lost in thought for a moment.

"You answered our call," Babd said. Her voice held a strong Irish accent. The small tinge of her past hadn't been lost as many others' had been from the years of being off Earth. 

    Vatra chewed on her lip. "Why wouldn't I have?" she inquired.

    "You are not a god." One of the other Morrígan answered for Badb. She stepped forward. Her younger, much more youthful, face looked down at Vatra with a scornful expression. Short, red hair appeared like sparks of fire on her head. Green eyes ignited with derision at the very idea of Vatra being in front of her. She thought Vatra was a joke, that much was clear.

    "It was you that sent me the invite, wasn't it?" Vatra questioned. "Or do you not recall what you did this morning, either?"

    "Easy," Enyalius whispered.

    The Morrígan that had spoken was moments from launching herself forward, when the third, who had yet to say a word, grabbed her around the wrist.

"Nemain, that is hardly the way to greet our guests," the third Morrígan said, her tone even. She smiled just as softly, round face encircled with thick, red curls that bounced down to her waist.

    "Macha-" the short haired Morrígan started, but swallowed her words hastily after holding gazes with Macha. She pulled her arm free and stepped back in place. "I apologize for my outburst," Nemain said through clenched teeth.

    Watching the three vastly different Morrígan, Vatra wondered how they had all managed to maintain a single form. "Sure," Vatra said. She grunted when an elbow from both Enyalius and Hisato jutted into her ribs. "I'm sorry, too."

    "We are just surprised that you would have wanted to entertain us gods. Your reputation on Earth didn't die with the planet," Macha said.

    "If my reputation didn't die, then why risk bringing me here? Wouldn't you have been scared of me killing a few of you?" Vatra darted her eyes to Nemain when the Morrígan chuckled as if Vatra had told the funniest joke she'd heard in years. The other two didn't laugh, at least.

    "We've heard what's been going on, and we heard about Tau Honnor. In line with your reputation, it makes sense that you would be a good ally to have in this coming war against some of our own. Also, it appears you have aligned yourself with those you once considered your enemy. We needed to see for ourselves," Macha explained. Her gaze landed on Enyalius after thoughtfully looking out over everyone else.

    Enyalius cleared his throat. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

     "Yes, it has." Macha nodded. "As I recall, the last time we saw you, there was a bit more rage in your eyes, and a bit more blood on your face."

    "Like I said, it's been a while," Enyalius dead-panned.

    Vatra looked from the Morrígan and back to the war god. She noticed the defensive edge Enyalius had taken at the mention of his past. Right, godkiller bloodlust.

    "I hope this means we can count on you all to help us in the fight against Hephaestus," Vatra said, turning the conversation away from Enyalius. She could tell that it was a scab Macha wanted to pick at a little too much.

    "There are many here who want revenge against him for what he's done. We know he used godkillers against his own. Thankfully, those of us here have ours with us. We will use them to enact justice," Macha replied. She stepped back and took a seat on the center throne. "I would like you all to stay so we can discuss our plan against this traitor."

"I actually have a favor to ask," Vatra said, rushing her words out before she lost the courage to get everything out at once.

"Oh?"

"One of our own has been taken by Ares, and we-"

"Ares?" Macha jumped to her feet, calm demeanor melting from the heat of a rage that matched her fiery red hair. "There is no mention of that man in this hall."

    Vatra could tell by the way Macha enunciated the word 'man', completely forgoing his true title, was meant as the deepest insult. She felt an icy chill up her fingertips, and her gaze drifted to the crowded gods watching them. The hushed silence that had fallen over their once barely audible conversations was unnerving. Vatra had never wanted to take back a question more than in that very moment.

    "Our friend was taken by that man," Vatra started, "and if there's a time when we need help getting him back, I'd hope we could reach out to you all for help."

    "If there's any opportunity that presents itself for me to take his life myself, I will do it. Tell me when you get the intel of where your friend is, and we will help you," Macha said. The anger had subsided from her eyes and she returned to her place on the throne.

    Sighing in relief, Vatra felt a weight lift from her shoulders. "Thank you."

Badb waved a hand to the side, acknowledging two, broad doors beside the platform. "While the other Morrígan and I discuss another matter, please join the others in the ballroom. In hopes for our groups uniting as allies, and gods returning to us, we've prepared festivities for celebration. We will speak of our plans after you have enjoyed yourselves and had a chance to rest."

Watching the others mulling through the doors, Vatra considered skipping the party. There were too many gods that she didn't know, and she didn't really feel like getting to know them after what had just happened. She wanted to saunter back to the Agkistrodon instead and curl up in her bed.

    "As fun as that sounds, I'm really exhausted from the journey," Vatra said.

    "Sorry to say, but our uniting festivities as allies ensures our bonds in body and mind. It's not optional to attend," Macha said.

    Vatra raised a brow, gripping on to Hisato's elbow when the others started to walk to the doors. He was the only one she could catch before he left her, too. "Wait, what does that mean, 'body and soul'?"

    Macha only chuckled in reply.

    "Let's just go, I won't leave you in there by yourself," Hisato said.

    "What did she mean by 'body and soul'?" Vatra asked him.

    Hisato shrugged. "I feel like we can deal with whatever that means after everything we've been through."

They passed into the grand ballroom. The room itself was adorned with gilded statues and artwork that looked as if they were pulled from a museum. Elegant archways and columns held up the second level, where heavy, golden drapes hung over. A thick scent of woody incense flooded Vatra's nose. The main elements of the room were all Vatra could focus on to keep from running back out.

    "I was completely wrong," Hisato breathed out. "And they didn't waste any time, either."

    "Gods," Vatra said. Her gaze instinctually darted to the top corner of the room before she dared look anywhere else. The heat in her face felt like it could cook an omelet. "Why did I forget they were gods?"

    "I find it interesting that there's food in here. Is that... safe?" Hisato asked.

    Vatra forced herself to look ahead. All they had to do was pretend they took part in whatever was happening in the room. Maybe she could find a corner to hide in. "I wouldn't judge you if you wanted to join the unity 'body and soul' festivities," Vatra said. She started walking, ignoring the gods around her.

    Hisato laughed. "I'm surprised that everyone else in our group seems to have disappeared. Either they all had the same idea to run and hide, or we really need to let our crew out to play more often."

"Gross." Vatra plucked a wine bottle off a table and pulled the cork out all in one, swift movement. Getting drunk it is.


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