A New World

I awoke to find several blurry faces looking down at me. Blinking the images into clarity I recognized Theseus and Asterion inspecting me worriedly. Lilith stood a few steps away watching me with feigned disinterest. She knew I would be fine, I thought, and any worry she actually felt would be directed to Lucifer, not myself.

"Not an incorrect assumption, Desmond. Though I would dissuade you from such pessimistic inclinations toward an ally who risked herself for you." Lucifer interjected. "Though I must congratulate you on a job... Well... A job done. We can speak later though, your companions would likely enjoy your attention."

Sitting up with a groan, my muscles shook with protest. "Hey guys... long time no see?" I said with an awkward smile. Theseus and Asterion smiled to each other, each letting out a warm laugh. Asterion offered a hand and I took it as he pulled me up with ease. "You guys okay? What happened to Yarhibol?" I asked looking everyone over for any obvious injuries.

"You survive your very first battle, and deign to ask us if we are okay?" Theseus questioned with his brow raised in mock indignation. "I jest. We are all fine, thank you. As for Yarhibol..." Glancing at Lilith with a guilty face he let out a heavy sigh. "We tried to finish him, but he escaped. After you left, he went into fury, cursing Lucifer's name left and right. Then he told us this was not over, and off he went."

Lucifer scoffed in my head. "Typical of Yarhibol. A coward to the end. The very least he could have done was die with dignity so we could be about our business without disruption." His words were cold, and uncaring. Curiosity got the better of me and I was going to ask him more questions about the nature of their relationship, but Theseus continued.

"I must say, Desmond. You surprised us all back there. You were swifter and faster than any human I have ever seen. Not to mention far more durable. I cannot think of a single human I have met who could take on even one blow from an angel and survive, let alone as many as you contended with." His praise extracted an easy smile from me.

"I wouldn't think about it too much, Theseus. Lord Lucifer probably just taught him a few tricks to make sure his meat skin didn't die on him." Lilith scoffed, walking past us down what appeared to be a gravel path. My eyes tracked her down the trail, inspecting our surroundings. Our current position seemed fairly well hidden from view. We sat in a small alcove at the top of a steep slope. Massive outcroppings of dull grey, almost white rocks surrounded us on all sides but the very compact and ill defined path where Lilith stood. Small green and brown shrubs dotted the landscape around us. Several green trees stood just past the entrance to our little alcove. seemingly covering us from prying eyes below. Behind me was a pristine flat wall, with words carved clearly into it. Of course I could not read them, but one could assume they lead back to the underside of the bridge.

"Oh come now, Lilly, even you must be impressed by how he handled himself back there. I will admit that he made a few, well... More than a few, grave mistakes. But for an untrained, undisciplined and untested young man such as him, he did extremely well just to be standing here. Breathing and unscathed." Theseus glowered back at Lilith, who glanced back only to roll her eyes at him.

"No, She's right though. Lucifer and I did a lot of training back at your house. When you guys woke me all covered in sweat. That was what it was from." I cut in, rubbing the back of my arm awkwardly.

"No, Desmond. Theseus is correct. You have earned our praise. However, now that we know what to expect... It will be more difficult to obtain." Asterion's heavy chuckle resounded behind me with unusual expressiveness as he took heavy steps past Theseus. "Do not grow complacent, this place is likely even more dangerous than earth, if only slightly. We can explain more to you as we hike down the mount." He added his tone returning to that monotonous bass sound that reverberated through my chest.

"Ace is right. We need to find a safe place to camp out and plan our next moves. I want to find that portal back to earth as quickly as possible." Lilith cut in, beckoning us forward as she disappeared through the trees.

*****

The trek was long and arduous as we made our descent from the mountain. Theseus and Asterion took turns explaining the nuance and history of this place. They began by explaining that we were at the base of Mount Olympus, the tip of which was the home of the Olympians, the gods of the Greek Pantheon. While in the real world, the top of Mount Olympus was just rocks and a pretty view. Here, there was a massive palace, with elegant architecture, beautiful fountains and breath taking gardens. While the Olympians no longer used Olympus as their full time domicile, they did host elaborate parties for esteemed guests and those of them that remained.

They elaborated that Ares and Hephaestus had been sacrificed in order to curry the favor of the wizards, who promised to destroy the whole pantheon after the great war. Unfortunately another unforeseen consequence was Aphrodite, who had taken her own life, having lost both her husband and her lover. So now, of the twelve, only nine remained.

I swallowed down a guilt that I did not quite understand. I knew it had not been my fault, I had known of my being a Wizard for all of a handful of days. I was not the one responsible for this, yet I felt the need to apologize anyway.

"I'm I'm sorry." I uttered lamely beside the two great Grecian warriors. Theseus however, let out a loud bellious laugh.

"Do not apologize Desmond. They were guilty, and are guilty of untold, unnamed atrocities, even to this day... Those Olympic bastards got less than what they deserved, we all did." His smile faded then. I wondered if regret or sadness colored his eyes. "We caused the Wizards being born, make no mistake about that. We forced their hand; and even despite how ruthless and vile they have become now, their actions then were warranted."

Seemingly finished with the conversation, Theseus sped to a trot, quickly outpacing us and vanishing into the dense thicket of forest we found ourselves in.

"He was a general, you know." Asterion spoke in a hushed tone, leaning down close to me.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Theseus... He was a great General under Ares, the god of war. He led many a war effort and was largely responsible for the destruction of Atlantis." His words were thick with a measured sorrow. "I feel sorry for him. Having to bear that burden. But I am also happy."

"Happy?" I asked curiously.

"Had he not played his part in that war. Had he not been spared by the Wizards. He would not have returned to this world. He would not have gone back to my maze... I would still be dead." He continued, his voice cracking like a thick tree trunk.

I thanked Asterion for sharing. His words gave me a lot to consider and we spoke for some time longer, doing our best to avoid any more serious topics. Things had become so heavy, and so dire. It was nice to break away from the high stakes, if even for a minute.

*****

"Hey ya idiots, over here. Theseus and I found a halfway decent place to make our camp for the night while ya two were chatting the day away." Lilith chastised loudly from a ways off the trail. The forest had become more dense in this area, and several trees had clustered together creating a pseudo wall of tree trunks next to where she stood. Careful not to trip over the exposed roots, we jogged over to her.

Rounding the wall of trees revealed a small inlet of earth surrounded by a dense thicket of trees and rocks. Theseus was hard at work; pulling up the little shrubs and weeds that grew all over, then using the fist fulls of greenery to sweep the area neatly. The result was a rather small makeshift campsite, with soft even dirt for us to rest and recuperate on. We spent the next couple of hours gathering supplies such as wood for a fire, leaves for bedding and water from the nearby river.

As dusk finally began to set on our small camp, everyone allowed themselves to relax. A fire had been made which was now crackling softly in chorus with the chirp of crickets and the hoots of owls. Water had been retrieved, giving us plenty to drink with our rations. We each laid in our beds, made of leaves and excess shrubbery and blankets that had been packed. It was not perfect, but for my first experience camping, it was by no means poor.

"Okay Theseus, it was your idea to come all the way here. How do we find this other portal." Lilith initiated the conversation we had all been thinking about, but refused to start on our own. Scratching his head, Theseus sighed and began...

"Well, to be perfectly honest. I do not know. I know one exists.... I think our best bet it to head to Veria and ask the locals. If one is nearby, they will know." Wincing as he admitted he did not know, excepting Lilith to begin her characteristic yelling. Yet it never came. Instead she simply nodded, looking to me.

"Lord Lucifer, what do you think. Would it draw too much attention to ourselves if we went asking around to the locals?" Her gaze seemed to go right through me, searching for her 'lord' and awaiting his reply.

"Hmmmm." Was all Lucifer murmured at first, lost in thought. "I think it would be unwise for Lilith or Desmond to be seen by anyone. Heaven will employ Olympians to track us and finish us while in this domain. That much is certain. They may even seek Zeus's permission to allow Yarhibol and his brothers to enter this world themselves to divine our location." I relayed Lucifer's words to the group as everyone nodded in agreement with his summarization.

"It would likely be best if only Theseus went in search of information. Asterion being a Minotaur makes him far too much a spectacle, easily remembered and quickly described. Besides, Desmond and I will stay here, we have much to discuss and train while Theseus fact finds. Lilith will also remain in case we are discovered." His words were less suggestions and more instructions and orders. A nervous worry filled my heart as I recalled the grueling training from the day before.

Even within my soul, the previous training had been exhausting. Constantly gathering and releasing his divine energy, then attempting various physically and mentally arduous tasks. First I had been ordered to sprint down the halls of Arce Elymas with as much divine energy as I could hold, which proved more than difficult than one would imagine. Then, sprinting while reciting a mantra that Lucifer had made me memorize. 'The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.' Focusing on running alone had been difficult to maintain any amount of focus on holding the divinity within; while recalling and reciting a mantra proved to be nearly impossible. Yet, by some miracle I had made much progress by the end. I had asked him at the time who had thought of the mantra, but Lucifer would only say that it 'was a friend I hope never to meet again.'

"It appears we have our next course of action then." Asterion mused quietly. "I suppose now we should rest and get some sleep for tomorrow. I will take the first watch." With a gentle kiss, Asterion left his and Theseus's makeshift bed and headed out into the growing darkness. I felt reassured and calm knowing he was watching over us as we slept.

"Sleep? My dear Desmond, who said anything about sleeping?" Lucifer's voice chuckled quietly. "Get in here, like I said, we have much to discuss." With a groan, but otherwise no protests. I folded my legs and closed my eyes. Focusing on entering my soul.

"Arce Elymas Magus" That voice had come back. Yet it was not mine.

"Arce Elymas Magus" Who's voice was this? It seemed familiar...

"Arce Elymas Magus" Where had I heard them before...

The world of Greece fell around me, and the familiar chirp of cicadas and birds filled my ears, and the scent of fresh grass and pine filled my nostrils. I opened my eyes to see an eternal twilight set behind a massive and beautiful yellow stone castle, and of course, Lucifer. I stepped forward to greet him, the voice long since forgotten.

*****

"It was a pathetic display, Desmond. No matter how you try to excuse it." His words were calm and ice cold. He was holding a book, one which he said contained my memories of the fight with Yarhibol and his Angels. "You can say it was your inexperience. But we are going to fix that. Now, Luckily, I was able to find this book among the hundreds of thousands that make up your memories. We shall review it, and go over every mistake you made, in detail."

I winced at the thought reliving those memories. However, Lucifer was correct. I needed to learn, and learn fast. Many warriors did not have the resources I had at hand. I intended to make full use of them to grow exponentially. No more would I subsist as the sole weak link of the group.

"Okay. Lets get started then, eh?" I replied, puffing my chest out, attempting to feign the confidence of a true warrior. Lucifer handed me the book. It was a dark brown, almost black leather bound hard back, but was very thin, no more than a few dozen pages. As I opened the cover, Lucifer leaned in beside me, as if reading from over my shoulder.

As a sensation I was being forced to become all too familiar with, my perception flited and spun and writhed about until finally settling on a blurry group of images. It was us, from the night before...

*****

"Do you see there, Desmond. You blocked the blow, yet rather than redirect its energy outward, you absorb it, resulting in your arms becoming over fatigued too early." Lucifer instructed for the millionth time. We had begun running drills now from within the memory. Somehow, he had managed to join me when he and I opened and looked into the book at the same time. "Again, but like this."

He showed me the maneuver again. slowly. As the Angel's spear blade had come down on my backside on the left, I had switched my blade into my left hand. Which Lucifer had said was a good instinct. However, because my left hand was not my dominant sword hand, attempting to parry or deflect the blow up and away would have been the better tactic. We ran through the moment beside the memory, which was slowed to one quarter speed. Lucifer acted as the Angel, and I as... Me.

Bringing his spear up and down from my left, I spun using my hips as instructed previously, raised my left arm up and met the edge of his spears blade with my own. Twisting my wrist to force the blunt edge of the sword upward, deflecting the spear away from my body, giving me a superior position to counter strike.

"Excellent! It is about time you got it." Lucifer practically purred with pleasure. "Now, we need only do this another..." He paused, swishing his head from left to right as he thought. "lets say another hundred times. I want to ingrain this into you so it will be as easy to repeat as breathing."

"A hundred times?!" I balked as I retreated a step. "But what about sleep? We've been here for hours already, I bet the sun is going to rise any second!" I blurted in protest. I could not believe he expected me to do this even five more times, let alone a hundred...

"Desmond, you do realize that time works different in here, right? The last time we met, it was for almost twelve hours in here, but only four out there." His words sank in like hot wax down my back. That meant that we could spend three hours in here for every one out there... I would make fast progress for certain, but how would my body handle the fatigue...

"Desmond... My dear boy; For doubting me, and my process, you will now run this drill another hundred times, and I think I will have you use divinity for all of them." He paused and thought, considering his words. "Yes, I think that should do nicely.."

"You really are the devil..." I muttered through weak grit teeth. Reluctantly searching for the offered divine energy.