Summary:
A week since the riot at town hall and things are tense for both mortals and gods
(A week later)
Things had calm down a bit since the riot...or at least on the surface.
The results of what some already called a "failed protest" were still visible: boarded-up windows near Town Hall, lingering frost patches stubbornly refusing to melt in the spring sunshine, and a brittle tension hanging thick in the Royal Woods.
Although no new incidents have been reported, the rumors of the "monster-controlling child" had made its work with many of the "mortal population" had already doubt and fear taking root to the point Ragnarok had dozens of new recruits before the week´s end and a couple more of shrines and temples had been vandalized, with the Ragnarok symbol painted over the doors and altars more often than not.
Though others were seeing it as fear mongering saying Ragnarok was causing as much harm as the monsters themselves, or turning them not only against their protectors but their own neighbors and fellow mortals with this nonsense.
Which had lead to some....conflict of opinion among citizens to put it lightly.
At the Royal Woods Mall, the usual weekend buzz felt strained, conversations hushed and eyes darting. Near the food court entrance, a heated argument erupted between two groups: one wearing hastily-made "Mortals Stand Together" pins, the other sporting "Trust the Protectors" badges. Accusations flew like shrapnel.
"Ragnarok sympathizer!"
countered with
"Inheritor lapdog!"
Until mall security, looking weary beyond measure, swiftly intervened. One officer muttered into his radio.
"Another one... Sector C. Send backup." The tension didn't dissipate; it merely retreated into wary silence and exchanged glares.
"This is totes getting bad." Leni spoke from where she stood with a frown.
"Can say that again." Her friend Fiona said crossing her arms with a frown.
"Ok, this is totes getting bad" said Leni again as she frowned at the scene unfolding near the escalators. Two women were arguing fiercely, one clutching a "Mortals First" pamphlet while the other gestured angrily towards a poster advertising temples hiring "Like, why can't everyone just be nice? Fighting won't make the monsters go away faster!"
"People will always find an excuse to fight, everyone being scared and all the rumors spreading is just escalating things." Sighed out the form of one of her mortal friends Fiona with her own heavy frown as she took a bite out of her french fries while currently on break from her job.
"Like, totally," Leni agreed, her brow furrowed in genuine distress "Like have some people yell nasty things to me when I arrived only for the cops to take them...it was sooo not nice."
"Sigh I keep telling you Leni you need have some of you centurions or even your inner muses helping you" said Fiona with a sigh.
"Oh but I dont want to bother them!" Leni protested "they are busy helping me with my studies and my designs and my singing and my..." she trailed off counting on her fingers "and besides I dont want to scare anyone." She said with a sad look "I mean I know Im Aphrodite inheritor but I dont want people to think Im using my powers to make them like me...that would be sooo not nice."
"right..of course not." Fiona said with a cough and slight uncomfortable look hiding a wince not wanting to bring up the other ways she'd been using her powers hadn't exactly been winning fans, since her attempts at match making hadn't been panning well....that one incident with a guy and his student and the messy divorce was sadly a good example. She thought holding back a wince.
"I mean i'm all about spreading love!" Leni added with a protest before giving a frown, "Which reminds me I should be getting back to my biggest passion project yet." she said with a determined expression,"Giving Linky his own harem!" she declared with a eager smile causing Fiona to choke on her shake, "because the more love the better and Lincoln so totes deserves all the love he can get." she added with a firm nod.
Fiona coughed, wiping milk from her chin.
"Leni, no! That's... ethically dubious! And Lincoln's, like, twelve!" Fiona sputtered, thumping her chest.
"But others of Lincoln´s age are getting love ones" protested Leni "and Linky is such a sweetheart he deserves a lot of girlfriends" she said with a determined look "besides he is a hero! Heroes always get harems in myths!" she added with a proud nod.
Fiona blinked
"since when is Lincoln a hero?" Fiona asked, genuinely perplexed. She hadn't heard anything about Lincoln Loud saving the world lately. Unless you counted surviving Lori's chore lists or Lynn's training regimes.
"Oh he totes save this one girl from Mishipeshu at the park last week, and when those monsters got loose at school he saved those two friends of his." Leni explained with a proud beaming smile,
"Really? did head about the attack at the school but nothing about him saving someone..and certainly havent heard about a "Mishipeshu attack at the park"
"Oh! thats because we didnt told anyone as is a secret so dont tell anyone" added Leni quickly realizing she slipped "but yeah Linky is totes a hero and he deserves a harem" she added with a firm nod "and since he saved three girls already think they are a nice start!" she pulled a small notebook and pass it to Fiona "see? I already working on outfits for them!"
Fiona blinked as she looked at the outfits...and noticed one small detail.
"Ehh Leni? I dont think these kind of outfits are the kind girls of Lincoln´s age should wear...in fact outside some specific gods and muses dont think anyone would want to dress like this" Fiona said with a blush as she looked at the designs that showed outfits that were more suited for a adult club than a middle schooler. "Also whats with the dragon masks?" she added also noticing each girl having one.
"I like dragons...they're totes majestic." And gave Leni a surprised look at the comment, "And girls lincolns age could totally make these work." Leni said before smirking, "Plus who said it was just girls his age that would be in the harem?" she asked causing Fiona to stiffen as she saw a strange look in her friends eyes as Leni leaned across the table, "Fiona...don't you think you deserve a hero for a boyfriend?"
Fiona choked again, scrambling backwards as Leni's aura subtly pulsed. The mall's fluorescent lights seemed to soften, casting a rosy glow around Fiona's face. For a dizzying second, Fiona saw Lincoln not as her friend's awkward younger brother, but bathed in golden light, strong and noble... before violently shaking her head.
"Leni! Stop it! That's... that's not okay!" Her voice cracked with alarm, drawing glances from nearby shoppers.
Leni blinked, the intense aura vanishing instantly.
"Huh? Stop what?" she asked, genuine confusion replacing the predatory gleam. She tilted her head, oblivious to the unsettling shift Fiona had witnessed. "I was just asking if you thought Linky deserved..."
She asked seemingly genuine clueless at what she was doing.
"Look.." Fiona looked nervously around hoping that hadn't attracted attention, "i'm sure Lincoln a nice guy and deserves a girl that will treat him right, but not sure about the whole harem deal, and really don't think i'm the right type for it."
Leni tilted her head, genuinely puzzled.
"But why not? You're super nice and smart and your hair looks really soft! Linky would love that!" She reached out, fingers brushing Fiona's sleeve with an almost magnetic pull. Fiona flinched back instinctively, the lingering warmth from Leni's touch feeling unnervingly intense. Before Fiona could protest further, Leni's phone buzzed loudly with a cheerful Aphrodite-themed ringtone. "Ooh! Time to go back to the academy" She beamed, gathering her things. "Think about it, Fi! You'd be perfect!" And with a wave that seemed to leave a faint shimmer in the air, Leni skipped off towards the food court exit, leaving Fiona staring after her, a cold knot of unease tightening in her stomach where the warmth had been moments before.
Leni...she was her friend, and she knew the other girl had meant well. But..that...that had been terrifying! Was...was this what Leni had been doing to other people!?
She shook her head.
No! dont start thinking like that! this was Leni who she was talking about! there is no way she would be doing this on propose!
But was that better? she doing this without knowing? shouldnt that academy have done something already about it?
She....she needed to do some thinking... maybe call Lori...or Leni parents... because it just got a lot harder to write off Leni mistakes in matchmaking.
(In another part of Royal woods)
KNOCK
KNOCK
The door opened to show a grinning Grant at seeing who came visiting
"You know, if you keep come seeing me everyday I will start thinking you have a crush on me" he said with a smile
"Oh haha you used that one too many times already" said Bumper with a chuckle as he walked inside "besides I'm not the one who keeps calling you 'pretty boy'" he added with a smirk, setting down a paper bag with a muffin and a coffee cup on a table.
"change your style and maybe I'll stop " Grant said with a chuckle sending his friend a smirk before getting a serious look, "everything going okay at home?"
"Sigh yes...mom learned one of the arrested was set free but fortunately the extra tip I paid to have your name lost from the lists paid off" Bumper sighed, rubbing his temples. "Still...she's been on edge since the riot. Keeps muttering about 'ungrateful mortals' and how she 'make Ragnarok paid' sigh got bored after hearing her like for the 50th times"
"Of course she is...miss picture perfect is the perfect image of what we're fighting against." Grant mutter out scowling "Still thanks again for getting me out before she could make me disappear."
"Sigh and again no thanks need" said Bumper "Sorry you still got fired from your job though" he added with a frown "That was unfair"
"No worries we've all got to make sacrifice's for the cause and hardly your fault." Was Casey shrugged reply.
He took a bite of the muffin Bumper brought, the sweet taste a stark contrast to the bitterness in his voice.
"I still think you should let me help more than just getting you coffee" said Bumper, leaning against the worn kitchen counter. Grant shook his head, swallowing a mouthful of muffin.
"You've done enough. Keeping my name off those arrest records? That's priceless." He paused, wiping crumbs from his chin. "Besides, your mom's already suspicious enough. Last thing we need is her sniffing around here because you're visiting 'some mortal' too often."
"right.." Bumper gave a bitter scowl, "you think being her disappointment would give me more room to go where I wanted as long as I was out of her way."
"Umm speaking off" said Grant "have she mention something? I mean talking with others of the group I feel she and the Inheritors have been...too quiet latelly"
Bumper blinked
"why are you asking me to tell you private info of my mom? the new Athena? lead of the local god council?" he asked in over the top mock horror "I thought you were a gentleman" he added with a smirk. "I feel so used"
Grant rolled his eyes, a faint smile touching his lips despite himself.
"Cut the drama. I meant has she been acting... different? Tense? More secretive meetings than usual? I think the inheritors are planning something big, a counter-move after the riot backlash."
"Ummm...well I think there is something" said Bumper after thinking about it "she had been pulling Beatrix to talk in private more often this past week for something...and she has been having a lot of meetings with the headmaster and the other council members." He paused, frowning slightly. "And...when she first heard that rumor about kid controlling monsters she acted weird." Bumper added with a frown, "like for a moment....I swore she actually looked not just shock and confused....but scared."
Grant leaned forward, his eyes narrowing.
"Scared? Jancey Yates? The new Athena?" The idea seemed almost ludicrous. The woman radiated unshakable control. "What could possibly scare her?" he asked "the fact the rumor is real and we might have revealed their truth?"
Bumper frowned
"I dont know Grant..you really think that whole kid-controlling monsters is real and part of some Inheritor conspiracy?" Bumper asked, his voice dropping to a near-whisper as he glanced toward the apartment door.
"I'll admit that's one theory floating around." Casey said his voice also lowering, "bit been hearing whispers..." He frowned, "like something big going on.... like the wave of monster's type big."
"Really?" Bumper asked, genuinely intrigued. "well if my mom do is worry about something..."
"Its a a theory, if its real then better for us to show the true faces of the inheritors" said Grant "but if its not..." he paused "then why is she scared? and what those guys saw in the park?"
"Who knows" sighed Bumper "last I heard those guys also went missing...so who knows what happened to them" he added with a shrug "but whatever it is, I doubt my mom would tell me...not like she trusts me." He added bitterly.
"you good man?" Casey asked giving him a concerned look.
"Yeah...i've long accepted what mom's really like." Bumper said with a sigh, "I just wish dad and the others could see the truth." he admitted with a grimace, "but dad's too blinded by love to see it's not returned, Beatrix is basically mom's little doll, while Belle and Beau.." his voice trialed off
"one is 100% mortal and the other is soon to take the ritual if Im not mistaken" Casey said remembering some past talks with Bumper
"Beau's ritual is soon to come" Bumper confirmed, his voice tight. "He's practically vibrating with excitement, talking about how he will be a great god and make mom proud...while Belle..." He trailed off, a flicker of pain crossing his face. "She tries so hard to pretend it doesn't hurt, being the one without a spark. She hides in her books, tries extra hard to be something but mom ignores everything she does." He slammed his fist softly against the countertop. "It's messed up." he called out ""It's like in her world if you aren't a god than you're just dirt meant to hold your superiors up!" He spat out with a scowl.
"That pretty much describes all inheritors in my book, though your mom certainly takes it to the next level." Casey agreed with a frown "But hey you know that if you need to leave you can crash with me and Im sure can make space for your siblings"
"Thanks" said Bumper giving Casey a grateful smile "but I doubt Belle would leave dad...and Beau is too excited to become a inheritor to see the truth...and Beatrix..." he trailed off shaking his head "she worships mom too much to see the truth"
"Doesn't help she's a inheritor herself too blind to the harm they're all causing." Casey remarked with a scowl with Bumper giving a conflicted expression on his face.
"Yeah.." He muttered but shook his head, "Besides...if i'm really joining Ragnarok i'm more useful where I am right now." He admitted with a frown, "And honestly...i'm kinda worried." He admitted with Casey giving a confused look, "If whatever going on isn't some inheritor conspiracy than that means it has to be monster related." Bumper expression turned wary, "And with all the crazy happening lately first with the school, now these rumors about a kid controlling them...if moms scared.." he grimaced, "she's not one to scare easily so that alone means something big is happening.
Casey frowned thoughtfully, the playful glint gone from his eyes.
"You think it's connected? The attacks, the rumors... your mom's sudden jumpiness?" He leaned back, tapping his fingers on the worn tablecloth. "Ragnarok's been pushing the 'inheritors are staging it' angle hard, but..." He trailed off, skepticism warring with intrigue. "If it's *not* them... what else could orchestrate monster attacks? And control them?" The implications sent a cold prickle down his spine.
"Dont know...but I will find out" said Bumper "Fortunately mom have been having a lot of meetings lately so could be a good time to sneak into her office and see what I can find" he added with a smirk.
A smirk Casey shared.
"heh you're going to go far my friend.." he said with a nod but frowned "just be careful if it's like you think than something dangerous is coming.." he added with a grimace, "i've heard stories about the monsters waves and the chaos and death...if it's anything to that level.." he shook his head, "i'll pass word up the chain Ragnarok needs to stand ready."
Bumper nodded grimly, the playful mood gone.
"Just... be careful, Grant. Whatever's coming, it feels bigger than politics." He glanced at his watch, a sleek, expensive piece that looked out of place in the shabby apartment. "I should head back before anyone notices I'm gone."
"You do you pretty boy" Grant said with a smirk "and remember...if you need help...you know where to find me" he added with a wink.
With Bumper giving off a snort but nodding as he moved to leave, he didn't know what his mom might be hiding, or what could make her nervous if not frighten but he'd find out.
(Skyrus academy)
Meanwhile on the school for gods, things were tense but for different reasons.
"Are you kidding me?!!" Ronnie Anne called in disappointment and angry.
She, alongside the others of her class, were in one of the fields of the academy for a small combat practice. Unlike duels between gods, this time it had to do with each of them fighting against monsters.
Now Ronnie was really wating for this type of class, as the monsters used in them were those captured by older Inheritors or special creatures summoned by teachers or magic users that were harmless enough to be used as training tools.
But Ronnie´s "opponent" wasnt exactly what she expected.
"You want me to fight against some mud doll?!" Ronnie Anne shouted, gesturing at the lumpy figure standing before her. It was adult size and man shaped with no face, made entirely of wet brown earth that dripped onto the grass. It swayed slightly, emitting a faint earthy smell.
Coach Bolhofner wasnt impressed by her reaction
"Promethean, Miss Santiago," The new Gilgamesh corrected, his voice flat as weathered stone. He leaned against a moss-covered training dummy, arms crossed. "Animated earth. Basic, yes. But effective." He gestured dismissively at the creature. "Its strength lies in its simplicity and in great numbers they can be quite dangerous thats why we starting with one and will increase numbers as you progress."
"Ah come on! I want a challenge not anything basic!" Ronnie Anne exclaimed out but the coach wasn't in the mood for complaining.
"From what I understand of the reports at that monster zoo disaster you and number of your classmates had trouble when the monsters used their numbers against you."He countered with a hard tone narrowing his eyes, "which has highlighted a severe need in you all needing training in what to do when you face not only multiple monsters...but when said monsters use teamwork."
The new Thor scowled, crossing her arms.
"Fine. But this lump looks like it'd fall apart if I sneezed on it."
"then by all means show us what you can do" the coach said turning to a robe wearing woman and nodding.
The woman waved a staff at the Promethean. Instantly, its posture shifted. Its muddy limbs coiled, adopting a low, predatory stance. Its featureless face seemed to *focus* on Ronnie Anne with unnerving intensity.
Ronnie Anne scoffed, charging forward with a burst of lightning crackling around her fists.
"This is pathetic!" she yelled, aiming a thunderous punch straight at its chest. The Promethean didn't flinch. Instead, it flowed *around* her strike like water, its muddy arm whipping out impossibly fast.
WHUMP!
The heavy, wet limb slammed into her ribs, knocking the wind from her lungs and sending her stumbling back.
"And that.." Coach Bolhofner scowled, "Santiago is one of your biggest flaws...overestimating yourself while underestimating your enemy."
Ronnie Anne gasped, clutching her side where the muddy imprint throbbed. Before she could recover, the Promethean surged forward, its movements unnervingly fluid for something made of dirt. It didn't telegraph its strikes; its limbs flowed like thick sludge, lashing out in unpredictable arcs. One moment it feinted low, the next a heavy fist aimed for her head. She barely dodged, lightning flickering erratically as panic edged into her focus.
Finally, after being hit repeatedly and have mud in her hair, face and cloths; the inheritor had enough.
Her eyes glowed with crackling fury.
"ENOUGH!" she roared as pulling out her hammer. With a furious yell, she swung it overhead, channeling raw lightning into a deafening downward arc.
CRACK-THOOM!
The Promethean exploded into a shower of wet earth and steaming mud, splattering across the grass and nearby students. Silence fell over the field, broken only by the sizzle of residual electricity.
Ronnie patted her hammer, breathing hard. Mud plastered her hair, dripped from her chin, stained her uniform.
"See?" she spat, glaring at Bolhofner. "Piece of cake."
The coach raised an eyebrow.
"is it?" Bolhofner asked, his voice dangerously calm.
And before Ronnie could ask a pair of mud fists impacted her head and body from behind sending her stumbling forward as she turned around to see two more Prometheans (now child size) standing behind her.
"The other reason why Prometheans are dangerous" continued the coach to the rest of the class "its because they have the nasty ability of becoming two smaller copies when destroyed." He explained as Ronnie Anne groaned wiping mud off her face while glaring at the two child size Prometheans who were already adopting low stances ready to attack. "Meaning that unless you destroy them completely they will just multiply."
"rather like how the heads of a hydra will multiple for each one cut off?" asked Zach rasing a hand.
"Indeed" said the coach "the only difference its that once the two spams are destroyed they are gone for good" he explained as Ronnie Anne groaned wiping mud off her face while glaring at the two child size Prometheans who were already adopting low stances ready to attack.
"So a little extra work, still not a challenge!" She spat out with a scowl her hammer crackling with energy.
"I wouldnt be too cocky Santiago" Bolhofner warned as Ronnie Anne raised her hammer again, lightning crackling. She swung hard at the first smaller Promethean. It exploded into a shower of wet clods, but instantly the second Promethean lunged low, its muddy leg sweeping her feet out from under her. She hit the ground with a wet thud, hammer flying from her grip.
"GET OFF!" yelled Ronnie kicking the head off the Promethean, only for the headless body to instantly sprout a new, smaller head before it stood dragging the small god up and throwing it away. Ronnie Anne scrambled backwards, mud clinging to her uniform, her eyes wide with disbelief as the Promethean´s arm suddenly stretched in her direction. Before she could react, its muddy hand clamped onto her ankle, dragging her across the slick grass back to it.
Coach Bolhofner sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Santiago! Stop treating it like a mindless lump! It's *thinking*! Predict its movements! Use your surroundings!"
"O at least try to not look so ridiculous!" Chandler called out with a laugh.
"Really McCann?" Stella called out with a glare "You're one to talk!" She gestured to where Chandler stood ankle-deep in mud, wrestling a Promethean that had wrapped its muddy arms around his legs like quicksand. He grunted, trying to pry it off while another smaller copy crawled up his back.
Although soon she had to re-focus on her own two Prometheans as they charged her again.
Stella grasped her harpoon, its tip shimmering with energy. She had tried to use water on her first Promethean but only made it sluggish plus bigger with all the new mud forming around it, so once that and its spams were beaten she decided to tackle the next two only her harpoon charged with some energy.
"Lets see...try to get them where I want them first...than nail both with one attack." she said muttering to herself with a determined scowl.
She dodged a clumsy swing from the first Promethean, letting it stumble past her. The second lunged, its muddy fist whistling through the air where her head had been a second before. Stella spun, planted her feet firmly on the ground as she grabbed her harpoon with both hands as it glowed a silver light.
"Moonlit Barrage!" Stella yelled, thrusting her harpoon forwards. Silver energy erupted from the tip, forming dozens of shimmering, crescent-shaped projectiles that sliced through the air. They struck both Prometheans simultaneously, slicing them into dozens of tiny, inert mud clods that splattered harmlessly onto the grass.
She grinned, breathing hard but triumphant.
"Predict *that*." she said with a smirk.
"That's nothings! i'll show you a special attack!" Ronnie Anne called out with angry huff and scowl as she raised her hammer high above her head. Lightning crackled violently around her, charging the air with ozone. "Sky breaker!" She slammed the hammer down with a furious roar, unleashing a blinding arc of electricity that vaporized her Promethean spam instantly...along with a sizable patch of scorched grass where they'd stood. Panting, covered in drying mud, she shot Stella a defiant glare. "See? Easy."
"I highly doubt thats a sustainable tactic Miss Santiago" Coach Bolhofner remarked dryly, gesturing at the smoking crater. "Unless you plan to level entire city blocks every time you face a mud golem." He turned his attention to the rest of the class, who were struggling with their own Prometheans.
Polly tried using her heavenly ribbon to tie up her Promethean, but the mud absorbed the silk, weighing it down uselessly. She yelped as the creature grabbed the ribbon and yanked her off balance.
Nearby, Chandler finally managed to blast his with a burst of lighting bruning away also the spam on his back.
Zach took distance before running at great speed tying to get momentum to deliver a powerful punch to his Promethean. However, the creature suddenly shifted its density, hardening its torso just before impact. Zach's fist sank deep into the mud, trapping him up to his elbow.
Saddie tried to summon water constructions to distract her Promethean, but the mud absorbed them instantly, growing larger and more aggressive. It surged forward, trapping her legs in thick sludge. "Help!" she cried, struggling against its pull.
Cookie was able to beat the fist promethean with her her poleaxe only to be dog piled by the spams. She struggled beneath their muddy weight, shouting curses muffled by earth. "Get— *spit* —off me, you glorified potter's rejects!"
Bernard and Persephone tried to use their ghostly summons against the Prometheans. But the mud creatures werent "alive enough" to actually be affected by ghostly powers, making the ghosts pass through them harmlessly.
Chloe had a similar issue as her mist based powers did nothing against the mud monsters. She tried to blind them with fog, but the Prometheans simply absorbed the moisture, swelling larger. One swung a heavy limb, catching her shoulder and spinning her into the mud. She scrambled back, coughing. "Useless!" she spat, wiping grime from her eyes.
SPLAT!
The creatue was suddenly tackled away by a bull with glasses.
"Mcbride!" yelled the coach "we are not practicing teamwork so keep yourself to your own!"
"but i.." Clyde protest was cut off.
"NO BUTTS!" Roared out the coach with a stern look, "you won't always have your fellow inheritors out there to watch your back!" He said with a tone full of authority...but also laced with experience, "You need to learn how to fend for yourselves!"
Chloe scrambled up wiping mud from her eyes as she looked at the bull with a smile.
"Thanks anyways" she said giving it a quick kiss on the muzzle.
The bull flushed with a stupid grin but soon realized it had other problems to deal with.
Namely the spams of both his original Promethan and Chloe´s all leaping on his back at once. Clyde stumbled under the sudden weight...and because the surprise he returned to his human form ending up bury under the mud.
Not far a big SPLAT was heard as Ritchie dragonic tail smacked the Promethean into pieces only for the spams to jump on him and pin him down with their muddy weight. Ritchie growled struggling to get free as the coach sighed shaking his head.
"Alright everyone!" Coach Bolhofner yelled, his voice booming over the grunts and splatters. "Freeze!" He raised a hand, and the robe-wearing woman tapped her staff. Instantly, the remaining Prometheans slumped back into inert mounds of earth. Ritchie spat out a mouthful of mud, glaring at the sludge sliding off his scales. Chloe helped Clyde wriggle free from his muddy prison Zach finally yanked his arm free with a wet *schlorp*, grimacing at the slime coating his skin. Chandler probably was the only one looking proud of himself as he brushed mud off his clothes.
"Pathetic display! Santiago!" Bolhofner pointed at Ronnie Anne, who was still wiping mud from her eyes. "Your raw power means nothing if you leave yourself wide open! You vaporize one, get swarmed by the rest!" His gaze swept the mud-splattered class. "Adaptability! That's what separates survivors from casualties out there! These weren't elite monsters – these were training dummies with basic instincts!"
Everyone had different degrees of shame or anger
"Seeing this it's amazing that school during that monster escape didn't turn into a blood bath!" he barked out with a stern glare, "Maybe you've all forgotten from people kissing your asses but being a inheritor isn't a game! It's dangerous work! We have a duty! A duty thats going to be getting more dangerous than ever in the time to come and you all need to be ready!" He barked out angrily with the students blinking because they could actually hear genuine worry in his tone but also at what he said.
"Time to come? Ummm...sir what are you talking about?" Stella asked slightly nervous and her question caused the Coach to suddenly stiffen his eyes widening slightly with realization of someone who said more than they meant too.
"Ehem...Its nothing important" Bolhofner cleared his throat sharply, his weathered face tightening as he deliberately avoided Stella's questioning gaze. He strode across the muddy field, boots sinking slightly with each step, and snatched a clipboard from the robed woman. "Focus on your failures! take a break, we will repeat the exercise in ten minutes" he barked, his voice regaining its usual gruff authority, though the tension in his shoulders remained palpable. "Clean yourselves up. You look like drowned rats dragged through a swamp." and with that he and the woman moved aside.
The students were left alone in the muddy field, the silence thick with exhaustion and unanswered questions. Ronnie Anne scowled at her hammer, its surface caked in drying earth that cracked with every slight movement.
"More dangerous times?" she muttered under her breath, kicking a clump of mud. "What's that supposed to mean? Another apocalypse?" she scoffed with anger.
"Ugg times like this makes me realize how our positions differ" said Chandler with a smirk as he brushed mud off his sleeves.
"you want to say something McCann?!" yelled Ronnie, hammer cracking with sparks as she turned towards him, mud dripping from her clenched fists. Chandler held up his hands, a mocking grin spreading across his face.
"Just noting how some of us handle pressure with actual skill, Santiago. Not just... tantrums and craters." Before Ronnie could retort, Stella stepped between them, harpoon held low but ready.
"Cut it out, both of you! We've got bigger problems than your egos." She jerked her chin towards Coach Bolhofner.
"That? pfff he is only angry he let out the real reason why this past week the teachers have been acting weird" the new Zeus called.
"You know why?" asked Rusty as he tried to get dry mud off his bow "I had the feeling they ahve been working overtime in the classes"
"and they have been assigning extra homework" added Polly with a groan "like yesterday´s essay on 'unconventional monster weaknesses'"
Chandler smiled enjoying when everyone turned to him for guidance.
"Easy..its because they decided to move ahead the Apotheosis festival so they getting us ready" Chandler said nonchalantly. He paused, savoring the sudden silence as every muddy face turned towards him.
"What are you talking about?" Stella question with open skepticism.
"For once i'm with Zhau, the teachers wouldn't rush something like that ahead of schedule for no good reason." Ronnie Anne agreed with a frown
"So what have been happening with those Ragnarok attacks is not a good reason?" Chandler shrugged, his expression turning serious despite the mud streaks. "Its obvious that something is needed to boost morale and remind the mortals who protects them. So they moved the festival sooner and all that that means. Training, rituals, even the Trial of Ascension."
A collective murmur rippled through the group. The Apotheosis festival was a cornerstone of their world – a celebration where promising mortals underwent trials to awaken their divine heritage. Moving it meant accelerated timelines, compressed preparations... and heightened danger.
"That...so make some sense" said Chloe softly "but why keep it secret?" she asked.
"Obviously to make sure Ragnarok doesnt learn of it an ruin things" said Rusty with a frown "they have been attacking temples and shrines after all" he added.
"But why didnt they tell us?" Stella pressed, her harpoon tip digging into the mud. "We're inheritors. Shouldn't we be the first to know?"
Chandler smirked, enjoying the spotlight. "Maybe they don't trust us not to blab. Or maybe..." He paused dramatically, lowering his voice. "...they're worried about leaks within the academy itself." His eyes scanned the group. "After all, not everyone in here are Inheritors, we have plenty of normies that could be spies" He gestured vaguely towards the main building.
"just because someone mortal doesn't mean they're with Ragnarok." Stella however didn't seem impressed with what Chandler was implying.
Seriously, if he wasnt messing with the human staff of the school he was accusing them of treason or being spies.
"Besides," Stella continued, her voice sharpening "most mortals here have family in Royal Woods. Why would they risk their own people getting hurt?" Her gaze lingered on Chandler, challenging him to refute the obvious logic. He merely shrugged, turning away to examine a mud stain on his sleeve with feigned indifference.
"Tch well I dont care" scoffed Ronnie Anne "If the festival really is coming closer then we should be practicing with something tougher than mud pies!" She slammed her hammer into the ground, sending mud splattering across Chandler's freshly cleaned uniform. He glared as she continued, "This babying is insulting! We can fight real monsters! we have done so already!"
"one, considering how you were doing in said babysitting it's clear you like the rest of us need this training." Stella counter crossing her arms, "and two I'm pretty sure something a lot more serious is going on besides the festival." She added with a concerned frown, "if they're really moving it up then that alone proves something is going on."
"Maybe it's related to the rumors?" Clyde offered timidly, brushing clumps of mud from his glasses. "That kid controlling monsters...?"
Close by Persephone stiffed at this
"wasnt that just..well a rumor?" Cookie asked with a frown "I mean my parents and any adult I have asked say its ridiculous...that is just Ragnarok propaganda" she added.
"it might not be after all with all the kinds of inheritors and abilities that exist someone controlling monsters isn't completely unbelievable." Zach added with a frown.
"So you think could be like an Inheritor in hiding? Or maybe a rogue Inheritor?" Rusty asked, leaning on his bow.
"That sounds a bit... extreme," Clyde murmured, adjusting his cracked glasses.
"And if its true, should we really be worry?" Polly asked softly, twisting her damp ribbon. "If they're controlling monsters... maybe they're protecting people too? Like that kid supposedly saving someone?" Her hopeful suggestion hung in the air, met with uneasy silence.
"Wait what kid?" Ronnie Anne asked with a confused frown.
"The incident with the Hydra..they said more than one kid was involve..so if those Ragnaroks were talking about one kid controlling the monster then maybe he saved the others" the new Nezha explained with a shrug "but honestly who knows?"
At that Chloe let out a sigh.
"Honestly seems like no one knows what's going on these days." She muttered as Clyde put his hand on her shoulder.
"Well I honestly dont care!" scoffed a rude voice as another student approached "the reasons for the festival or that ridiculous rumor doesnt matter, what matter is that if the festival comes sooner then the SMITE tournament could also come sooner" he smiled with a predatory/exited smile.
He was a muscled boy with tanned skin, a black Mohawk and freckles. Deer horns sprouted from his temples, and he carried a massive golden axe slung over his shoulder. His eyes, sharp and predatory (Literal snake-like), scanned the muddy group. "If they're rushing Apotheosis, they'll HAVE to accelerate the qualifiers. Meaning more chances to prove who's the strongest inheritor here." His grin widened, showing slightly pointed teeth. "Finally, some real competition."
STEAK STANKCO-REINCARNATION OF URCAGUARY (INCA)
"Oh please as if you'd qualify as even a warm up once the festival starts." Ronnie Anne said scoffing shooting the boy a cocky smirk, "I'll be the one taking home the gold and glory as the superior god."
Stankco's serpentine eyes narrowed, a low growl rumbling in his chest as he hefted his golden axe.
"Keep dreaming, Santiago. Your little lightning show couldn't even fry a mud pie properly." He gestured dismissively at the scorched crater Ronnie Anne had created earlier. "The Smite Tournament is for real warriors, not glorified sparklers." He swung his axe in a lazy arc, the golden blade humming faintly as it cut through the damp air. "I'll crush anyone who gets in my way... especially loudmouths."
"Please you're both losers, i'm not called King of the Gods for a reason." Chandler stepped up with a scoff leading to a three way glare down.
"oh yeah..between you running away from monsters and miss mud-eater here Im so scared" Steak Stankco scoffed at Chandler, his golden axe gleaming under the overcast sky. "I'll crush both of you and everyone else in the tournament...then I'll be the one everyone looks up to!" He slammed his axe into the ground, causing a tremor that sent mud splattering across the trio. Ronnie Anne snarled, electricity crackling around her hammer, while Chandler's fists clenched, sparks dancing between his knuckles.
"Just name the time and place and i'll put you two losers in your place." Chandler sneered out as the other students exchanged concerned looks.
"Ehhh not to mess things here but dont think the teachers would take kindly to you three fighting outside the tournament rules." Clyde said stepping forward nervously as the three glared at each other. "Coach said we have to be ready in ten minutes and..." he trailed off as Steak Stankco suddenly turned his serpentine gaze towards him.
The new Maui gulped, instinctively stepping back as Stankco's predatory gaze locked onto him.
But then Stankco smiled.
"Then how about a challenge?" he said turning to Chandler and Ronnie Anne "no fighting each other..but something else"
Chandler and Ronnie Anne exchange looks before shooting Stanko challenging smirks.
"What you got in mind?" Ronnie Anne asked with an arched brow.
The new Inca god smiled and made a sign for them to follow him to the edge of the training field where a wall separated the "beginners training fields" from the "advanced training fields" where the older students trained.
A part of the wall was down with a hole big enough to see what was happening on the other side. Stankco pointed towards the advanced field where a group of older students were standing as they saw both their newest teacher, Tito Makani, and coach Tetslaff doing...something?
well the female coach was making furrows using her now 4 scarab arms while the Hawaiian teacher was holding a jar with greek symbols.
"Ok everyone!" called Mr Makani once the other teacher finished "take your positions!" he called opening the jar "remember, these guys wont stop once we started so if anyone has issues or feel cant continue, step out!" he said as the students took positions around the field.
"Bugs? First walking mud pies now bugs?" Ronnie Anne stated with a affronted frown at the sight while wondering where Stanko was going with this.
"I dont think so" a boy with blonde hair, glasses and what looked like tentacle tattoos on his arm called "I know Tito and he isnt one to warn about anything unless he is serious"
The teacher then pulled something out the jar and throw it onto the field revealing a dozen or so small...fangs/teeth? that burrow themselves into the ground.
Each of the old students took a fighting position and prepared their weapons as the ground shacked with small plums of fire emerging from where the teeth fell.
Then the earth broke out as dozens of bronze-muscular arms burst out of the ground, each ending in a clawed hand that grabbed the earth and pulled up the rest of the body. The creatures were humanoid, made of bronze and smoldering rock, dressed as ancient greek warriors armed with swords and spears. Their eyes were empty sockets with flames burning inside and their mouths were filled with sharp fangs.
"Dragon teeth warriors!"Chloe gasped, her eyes wide with recognition from mythology class.
The first bronze warrior lunged with terrifying speed, its sword a molten blur.
Ronnie saw her brother being the first to be reached and had just a split of second to intercept the attack with his jade ax. The impact sending sparks flying and forcing him back several steps. The air filled instantly with the harsh clang of metal on metal and the guttural roars of the constructs. Unlike the sluggish Prometheans, these warriors moved with coordinated, lethal precision, their flaming eyes scanning for openings.
"O-kay now those look like a real training challenge." She said aloud with a smirk.
The field was soon filled with the sound of clashing bronze and the roar of flames as the older students fought with desperate coordination. Ronnie Anne watched her brother duck under a molten spear thrust, his jade axe flashing as he severed a warrior's arm at the elbow joint. But the construct didn't falter; it simply swung its remaining limb like a club, forcing him to leap back.
Nearby, another student screamed as a warrior's sword grazed their shoulder, leaving a trail of sizzling fabric and angry red skin. Tito Makani's voice cut through the chaos, sharp and urgent:
"Watch the joints! They're armored but not invincible! Work together!"
Among the chaos, Lynn was REALLY enjoying the training. The new Hercules was actually in the middle of a group of three warriors, her fists a blur as she ducked under a sword swing, grabbed the warrior's molten wrist, and used its own momentum to slam it into its companion. Bronze screeched against bronze as both constructs stumbled. She didn't pause, driving a powerful uppercut into the jaw of the third, sending sparks showering like angry fireflies. Her grin was fierce, sweat plastering her hair to her forehead.
"Come on! Is that all you got?!" she yelled, her voice cutting through the din.
At that two attempted to flank her from opposite sides but she just leaped back allowing their attacks to hit each other before grabbing and slamming their heads together.
CLANK!!
"Oh yes!!! who´s next?!" Lynn roared, shaking molten bronze splinters from her knuckles as the two crumpled warriors dissolved into shimmering embers.
"LOUD! don't get cocky!" yelled coach Tetslaff.
But her warning came a bit late as a trio of soldiers seems to have had enough of the new Hercules as they formed a line in front of her...and breath fire on her! Lynn crossed her arms to protect herself as the flames washed over her. The heat was intense enough that even the students watching from the hole in the wall could feel it. But when the flames cleared, Lynn was still standing, her clothes singed but otherwise unharmed, a wide grin on her face as she cracked her knuckles.
"Oh, you guys play dirty! I like it!" She roared, ready to charge.
"Literal, we spend more on her clothes alone than in all the rest of the family together" Lori groaned as she and other students decided to take up to the sky to avoid the fire breathing warriors.
"Be thankful she didn't give anybody a free show....again." Beatrix said beside her with a slight deadpan before looking nervous, "Also um..after training could I talk to you?"
Lori glanced at the new Nike inheritor, noting the unusual tension in her posture.
"Sure, but make it quick. I've got a shift at the temple tonight." Her attention snapped back as a warrior below launched a spear that narrowly missed Lynn's head. "Stellar pathway!!!" she called waving her staff. Multiple small star-looking orbs formed a path in front of her. Lori then charged in descend; each orb she touched shoot like a projectile towards the warriors below causing the field to soon be covered in small light explosions.
"Thanks it's really important...it's about Lincoln." Beatrix said before launching her own attack.
"PINES! what you doing?! get in there!" the coach yelled at a brown haired boy holding a feathered staff with a dream catcher on the tip
"Yes bro you missing the fun!!" a girl that looked similar to the boy called as she pulled an arrow out her quiver and set it on her bow. The arrow soon became a small lightning bolt that she shot at one of the warriors causing a small explosion that send molten bronze flying everywhere.
"sigh..really Mabel?" the boy called "the instruction said we had to beat them but they never said anything about fighting them"
"pretty sure that was implied bro." the girl, Mabel, said back with an arched brow
"sigh and this is why you need to pay more attention in classes" Dipper said shaking his head. He then focused in two close by Tooth warriors and charged towards them. The warriors turned to him raising their swords only for Dipper to wave his staff
"Vanishing light" in a flash of light he disappeared causing the warriors to hit each other.
A moment of pause and then the warriors began fighting each other. soon they bumped into others that in turn began fighting each other. Soon the entire group of warriors was fighting each other.
Dipper reappeared at the edge of the field with a smirk as the warriors destroyed themselves.
"See? I told you we didn't have to fight them." he said with a smirk to his sister "Dragon tooth warriors are powerful but they have one weakness, they are blind" he revealed "they will attack anything that attack them or make any noise close to them...so why fight them when we can make them fight each other?" he added with a smirk.
"Show off.." Mabel said with a scoff though shot her brother a teasing smile.
"You know it" he said back with a smirk.
DIPPER AND MABEL PINES-REINCARNATIONS OF BORN FROM WATER AND MONSTER SLAYER (NORTH AMERICAN)
The battle continued, although now that the warriors began fighting against each other, the students had to focus on avoiding the crossfire and finishing the ones that were left standing. Coach Tetslaff was yelling instructions at them to not get distracted and focus on the task at hand.
Meanwhile the young students watched the battle with a mix of awe and apprehension. Ronnie Anne's fingers tightened around her hammer's handle, knuckles white.
"That... that's what we should be training against," she muttered, her earlier bravado replaced by a hungry intensity. "Not mud pies."
"Finally talk sense.." Chandler agreed with a nod but frowned over at Stankco, "but why exactly are you pointing this out to us? What's this got to do with me showing you my superiority?"
"Easy! after classes we will get some of those teeth and see who can take down the most warriors!" Stankco declared, his serpentine eyes gleaming with challenge as he pointed towards the jar in Mr. Makani's hand. "Unless you're scared of a little heat?" The taunt hung heavy in the damp air, met by Ronnie Anne's immediate scoff and Chandler's dismissive sneer.
"Please i'll wipe the floor with these relics and you two morons." Chandler scoffed, "yeah you'll be kissing my boots by the time i'm done." Ronnie Anne added.
The other students exchanged uneasy glances as the trio's challenge hung in the air. Clyde nervously adjusted his cracked glasses, his voice barely a whisper.
"But... those warriors are only for advanced students. What if someone gets hurt?" His concern was met with Steak Stankco's derisive snort.
"And whats stopping any of us from telling the coach what you planning!" added Stella with a glare at the trio.
"Do it and a trip to the nurse's office is the least of your worries." Stankco said with a dark glare.
Stella wasnt one to be scared by empty words
"Funny, I was thinking the same" she said stepping forward "because I'm telling them right now." She declared turning to leave only to find Stankco's massive axe blocking her path, the golden blade humming with barely restrained power. His serpentine eyes narrowed to dangerous slits.
"Try it, and you'll find out why they call me the 'Crusher'." The air crackled with tension thicker than the lingering mud.
"No one calls you that" she said her own weapon now in hand and pointing at the other inheritor.
"They will after i'm done with you!" The boy shot back with a glare however before things could get nasty.
"Woah! lets calm down now! No need for this to get violent!" Chloe spoke up nervously holding up her hands.
"Yeah not like anyone here going to actual squeal." Rusty added with a nod.
Stella glared at the new Apollo inheritor, her knuckles white around her spear shaft.
"This is stupid and dangerous! Those things nearly roasted Lynn Loud!" But her protest was drowned out by the excited murmurs spreading through the group. Polly twisted her ribbon nervously, her gaze fixed on the advanced field.
"It... it does look kind of exciting," she admitted softly.
Stankco smirked, sensing the shift.
"Exactly. A real test." His serpentine eyes swept over the group and fall on the Zeus and Thor´s inheritors. "After last bell, meet at the old oak near the equipment shed." He hefted his axe meaningfully. "And keep your mouths shut, unless you want to explain to the coaches why you're missing fingers." The threat hung heavy.
With the other students all trading looks at the threat and this whole plan with even Chandlers "friends" having some doubt in their eyes, "exactly how do you plan to get those things anyway?" Clyde asked with a frown, "I doubt the coach leaves them just laying around for anyone to take."
On that Stankco paused, his smirk faltering.
"You dont have an idea right?" Chandler asked with a smirk.
"I...I...I dont! but I will think about it" Stankco snapped, his serpentine eyes darting around as if the solution might materialize from the muddy air. The confident sneer returned. "Just be there." He shoved past Stella, his golden axe scraping the ground as he stalked away, leaving the group in uneasy silence.
"Idiot" scoffed the new Mayari.
"Total idiot" Ronnie Anne agreed with a roll of her eyes as she watched Stankco stomp away. She turned back to the advanced field, her gaze lingering on the bronze warriors still clashing amidst the chaos. Still...the idea had merits. A real challenge. Something worthy of her hammer. She glanced sideways at Chandler, catching the same calculating glint in his eyes. Neither spoke, but the unspoken agreement hung between them...they'd be at that oak tree.
None of them noticed some dark clouds appearing in the distance.