Chapter Text
The deck was still. Not a soul sailed its waters or walked its wooden structures at that time of the night. The curfew of the city dictated it like so, but rules were meant to be broken they say. Some because of the adrenaline rush, others because they meant nothing to them.
Kardia was a mix of both. Who wouldn’t love a bit of danger on the night? Adventure could be found everywhere, even in the smallest things. The feeling of moving through the shadows, carefully advancing and trying to not get catched. Yeah, that was the best. Although the risk of being captured was more real than the one a teenager would have. No, Kardia didn’t care about the law, but he did care about being incarcerated. So when the clock striked twelve and no one was on the streets, he moved through the darkness the light provided.
He was getting closer and closer to his destination. An alley. Darker even than the shadows that hid him. Going through the back of locals and taverns. It looked even deeper at that time, probably hiding some criminals.
He quickly crossed the street and entered the alley, passing three or four doors before finally knocking on one of the wooden doors, a green one with a concealed intricate drawing on the bottom left corner. He heard some shuffling from behind, locks being removed and a key finally opening with a ‘click’.
Calvera was always smiling. She said life was too good to let herself be affected by the temporary sadness one could feel. So when the door revealed her serious expression, he knew something was wrong. Terribly wrong. She let him in, swiftly closing the door behind him and installing the security again.
–You are late. Again.– she stated.
–Sorry, ran into some- –
–Guards who put up a fight? A damsel in distress? A lost kid? A poor beggar?–She listed.
Kardia winced. She knew all his excuses by now. He would have to make up some more after the meeting.
–Come, they are waiting for you.–
She guided him through the halls he already knew until they reached a dark coloured shelving. It was open like a door, waiting for them to enter and then be closed from the inside. Stairs were behind it, going down and down to another door. Behind it, there was some chatter going on. Well, more like screams. And the sound of things being thrown. Kardia smiled. Here it came, another lovely reunion of the elite pirates of Athena. How fun.
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He didn’t mean to throw the dagger. Well, he did, but not to actually hit someone. Ok maybe yes, but not to hurt. Oh gods, why was he making up excuses? Of course it was to hurt. Not kill though. As much as Manigoldo got on his nerves, he would never try to actually kill him. He was a work partner, not an enemy. But nothing could stop him from giving him a little scare, specially when he hadn’t stopped annoying him since they got there. The thing was, the dagger was supposed to hit Manigoldo (lightly, obviously), but the little shit dodged it. And it ended up hitting the door frame. Where Kardia was coming through. Ups.
He saw the man look at the dagger side eyed, then picking it. And looking directly at him. It was obviously his, the rose design engraved on it left no doubt.
–Thank you for the welcome gift. I guess. Albafica.– Kardia half smiled.
He copied his gesture.
–Sorry about that. Throw it at Manigoldo for me, will you? It was destined for him, but he can’t appreciate a gift apparently.–
–You fucking fish! You were trying to fucking kill me!– the mentioned man shouted and hitted the table. –Was I supposed to stay still and get hit?–
The newcomer laughed, throwing it at Albafica instead. He catched it with ease and put it back in its place.
Everyone had stopped talking when Manigoldo hit the table. The attention was focused on them and then on Kardia.
–Kardia, the letter explicitly stated to come at 12:30. What time is it?– Dégel’s icy voice was the first to speak.
–12:40, apparently. Why?–
Albafica released a heavy sight. That man would never change. He took a seat in front of him and an apple out of his pocket. Albafica looked at his sibling. An unimpressed expression was on their face, knowing well the exchange that was about to happen. He even saw them count. Three, two, one.
–Are you du- –
–Okay kiddos, as much as we love watching you repeat the exact same words every reunion, I"m afraid we don’t have much time right now.– A young purple haired girl interrupted them.
She was giving them a deadly look that didn’t match her youthful face. Saori was her name, one of the representatives of their goddess and by far the scariest. Sometimes it was almost hilarious how she could impose herself over men twice her age and size. Next to her were two other girls, older than her. One with a nervous smile, Sasha, and the other with a serene expression, Irina.
–I know this meeting was… a little rushed and sooner than what is monthly scheduled, and we are sorry for that but there has been a- –
–The Orichalcos has disappeared.–
–… problem…–
The older of the three cut straight to the point, not letting Sasha finish her sentence.
The general reaction was the same. Livid. That was terrible news. Every person with a little knowledge of the sea knew the importance the crystal had on keeping the balance of the oceans. A beautiful aquamarine, not bigger than the size of a heart, that holded not only part of Poseidon’s power, but was also the only thing that could make the oceans less dangerous. A key.
–Julian Solo and Seraphina sent every priest a letter two weeks ago. They informed that several temples were being vandalized and destroyed. They asked for help to protect the remaining ones and we sent it, but it was useless. Three days ago it was confirmed. The Sounion Temple has been reduced to ashes and the Orichalcos is gone.–
–We are on high alert. Any moment from now monsters will be plaguing the sea. We have to avoid it at any cost.– Saori extended a map on the center of the large table. –The markings you see here are the positions we are expected to take when they come. We have to protect the coast lines and avoid the monsters from reaching the mainland.–
He stood up with everyone to see the map better. The different symbols that represented the gods were scattered across it. Trident, Lightning Bolt, Fireplace, Peacock…
–We only have five markings, but we are more. Why.–
What? Albafica looked more closely at the marks. It was true. The Niké stamps that marked their position were few, but it also applied to every other god.
–Good news is, there is a way we can stop the monsters from emerging. Slightly less good news is, as we have the strongest fleet we were chosen to do the mission. Bad news is, only one ship can go.– Sasha listed, playing nervously with the dangling part of her bracelet.
–Terrible news, at least for you, is that we have already decided who will go.– Saori smirked.
Albafica didn’t like where this was going. At all. Evilly happy Saori was bad news for them.
–Who?– asked Camus, although by the look on his face he guessed the boy might have predicted it already.
–And here it comes…– he heard Sasha whisper, watching how she sinked a bit more on her seat trying to disappear.
–The Hope is our biggest and fastest ship. Everyone in this room is expected on the docks tomorrow morning at 7:00 am. Not a minute late, Kardia. Bring clothes for at least a month, we don’t know how much time this will take us. Further instructions will be given when we sail.– Irina stated, calmly. –You are dismissed.–
But no calm tone could stop the shock and indignation of some faces. Mü and Alebaran quickly got up and almost ran out of there, trying to avoid the probable physical conflict that was about to happen. Sisyphus and Regulus followed them, the first one probably to avoid exploding in front of everyone. Maybe Sasha and others ran away too, but he stopped paying attention when Manigoldo started his outraged rant.
–There is no way I’m willingly getting on a boat with all of you scums.–
–How cute of you to think that you had a choice. You don’t. Its orders. Tomorrow at 7:00 am sharp. No delays, no excuses. Dismissed.– Saori tried ending the conversation there, but to no avail.
–Oh believe me, the feeling is completely mutual.–
–Perfect! Then stay on land and let the actual man do this, princess.–
Hell no. There was no way in hell he would let him disrespect him like that. His dagger flew from his hand quicker than he could think, and this time the other was not fast enough to avoid it. It almost erased his cocky smile, blood lightly flowing from the union of the weapon and his skin. He pulled it, anger now rising in his eyes and preparing to pounce back. He got ready too.
A burst of pain on his cheek and his back collided with the back wall. He dodged the second punch, blocking the third with his forearm and aiming his head at Manigoldo’s nose. Someone was pulling him, but he didn’t care. He couldn’t hear them. Only the rapid beat of his heart on his ears. He got pulled again, this time getting captured in the arms of someone he knew.
–Stop it! All of you!– that was Irina’s voice, angry. –You are captains for fuck’s sake! Not children!–
He stopped trying to break free and dropped his head in shame. Lugonis was still holding him, gentler now but still firm.
–I understand that this will be difficult, but we have to make an effort. They are all counting on us. Athena is counting on us. If you can’t learn to work with each other then we are failing all of them.– Irina paused. –We are not asking for bonds to be restored. Only for you to respect each other and join your forces to achieve this task. Even if it"s just for the mission. If we get divided, we die and the rest of the planet comes with us. So please, just for this, ignore your personal conflicts and help each other.–
There was a tense silence then. She was right. They would doom themselves if they couldn’t even stand next to each other without someone getting hurt. He looked at Manigoldo, blood slowly soaking a piece of cloth he holded under his nose and an angry shame contorting his features.
Murmurs began again, maybe people agreeing and bidding their goodbyes. Arms setting him free and gently guiding him to the door.
–Alba?–
His brother’s worried features appeared in his vision. They were outside now, the air chilly and waves softly crashing in the docks. It was so calm. He focused on that.
–We better go because, I don’t know about you, but I’m not in the mood to break out of jail again. Also, we need to rest. And pack. We can discuss everything at home.–
Yes, that was a good idea. He draped the cloak around his shoulders, following his siblings’ actions and followed them. Merging with the darkness of the night.