Chapter 109 – Ex-White Pantheon, Meet Arascus.

The whole world turned into the KTV broadcast. Simple gossip was worthless, no one wanted to see another episode of the markets imploding and the debates between politicians were a mere sideshow to today’s main event.

An excited pair of presenters, in warm suits and all smiles, watched the video for tenth time today, then turned to camera. The pretty lady spoke: “You have to see it to believe it, Goddess Olephia has saved us Kirinyaa from the Caretaker.”

She dramatically threw up her papers and gave a round of applause. Her partner, a handsome man, joined in. They clapped for a moment before he repeated the rest of the news. “We’ve already confirmed with Goddess Kassandora that although some Binturongs were damaged, no loss of life was sustained. The Reclamation War will continue at full speed, we are not going to stop until all of Arika is safe!”

And more clapping and cheers.

Kassandora sat in Helenna’s tent and waited. She knew what was coming. The Caretaker had been wiped from the face of Arda only an hour ago. It had been submerged in a white explosion, Olephia had descended to the ground and walked off to meet Fer and Neneria. It was a sight Kassandora was sure she would remember for the rest of her life. “You’re a gangster in depression.” Helenna said as she crossed her arms.

“What does that even mean?” Kassandora asked. She felt as if she had shrunk. She could lead countless legions of men to their deaths, she could not even stand to face her sister. What would she even say?

“It means you’re a gangster in depression.” Helenna replied as if that was supposed to make any sense whatsoever. Iniri and Kavaa were here too. All four of them wore the matching HAUPT suits, Iniri didn’t like her war-dress much, and changed immediately. Kavaa was of the opinion that she should look presentable for the inevitable interviews that were going to come start coming. The fact it had taken so long for reporters was already a shock for her.

“And?” Kassandora asked, her voice low and moaning. She fiddled with her red hair.

“It means it doesn’t fit you.” Helenna said. “I didn’t think you of all people would have these problems.”

“I don’t!” Kassandora half moaned, half shouted. “It’s just… what do I say?” She hated meeting her sisters after a long time. Whenever she returned from campaign, they would go, they’d tell her how much she had grown, they’d pat her head. They’d treat like her a little sister. She hated it!

“You don’t have to say anything.” Helenna said as she shook her head, her tone turned annoyed. “What am I dealing with? Talk to her how you’d talk to us!” Kassandora blinked. She had forgotten as she looked up. She had not told these ex-White Pantheon members that they were going to meet Arascus. Back then, she couldn’t think of anything to say to calm them down, and the knowledge they would meet the man who had once led the Great War against them may have caused them to falter in battle. Now…

“She’s here!” Fer shouted from outside. Kassandora took a breath and looked up weakly at Helenna.

“Do you have a drink?”

“YOU ARE NOT TAKING A SHOT TO MEET YOUR SISTER!” Kassandora sighed. It was worth the attempt.

Fer pulled the green curtain that separated protected Kassandora from the inevitable and stuck her head into the tent. Her golden mane trailed in, sticking in all directions, her ears jumped around, her yellow cat eyes grew large. They landed on Kassandora and Fer smiled smugly. She made a ridiculous grin and a laugh Kassandora despised. A‘hehehe’as if what she was about to witness was very funny. “Little Kassie!” She cooed. “It’s not nice to hide.”

Kassandora shot daggers with her glare at Fer and the woman laughed again, her tail whipped about behind her head.Hehehe.She turned. “Olia! Dad! She’s here!”

Kassandora looked around at the three Goddesses around herself. Helenna, Kavaa and Iniri all looked flatly at Kassandora, as if in disbelief. “Excuse me?” Kavaa asked. “Dad?” She repeated the word as if she didn’t what it meant.

“Oh yeah, he’s here too!” Fer said excitedly as she pulled the curtain open. Kassandora pulled her knees up to her chest and buried her face in them. She saw them both. Olephia, in a dark purple dress, silent as always. Her black hair cascaded down her back and she looked towards Kassandora with her violet eyes. Kassandora hated when people looked at her that way. It was a warm look, all loving and caring and longing, all the things that Kassandora did not deserve.

And Arascus. Her father. She had been the last daughter he had adopted, and he had adopted with open arms. She still remembered his words.Give War a chance.He had given War a chance back then, and War had become his loyal supporter. He came in as he did back then, in a royal suit, with a red cape all capped off with white fur around the edges. A man who believed he would Emperor of the world, a man with forceful will to make her believe he could do it.

And Kassandora sat there as Kavaa, Helenna and Iniri seemed to shrink in his presence. The three Goddesses looked at each other, half in shock, half in fear, and actually took a step back. “It’s good to see you again Kass.” Arascus came in first. Kassandora buried her face deeper, and felt large arms around him, she was tall among the Divines, but he had always been the tallest.

“I should have called.” Kassandora knew she should have. She didn’t know why she didn’t. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize now.” Arascus said gently, he pulled her chin up, gave her a kiss on the forehead as if she was a little girl and then took her hand. “It’s good that you’re safe. I was going to tell you off for not calling, but now I don’t feel like it.” Kassandora hated how gentle he was with her. She was the Goddess of War, she was brought into this world to bring men to their knees. War had never been something to be loved and cared for. It was a necessary evil.

“Thank you.” Kassandora said weakly. Arascus smiled as if she had said something stupid, and pulled her up to stand in one simple movement.

“Olephia will just repeat what I was going to say anyway.” Kassandora looked up at Olephia before her. Of Chaos was tall for Divines, about Kassandora’s eyes, but now she had tilted her head back to look down her nose at Kassandora. She took a step forwards, extended her palm, and slapped Kassandora across the cheek. Fer giggled from behind. Neneria had appeared too, they were both enjoying the show far too much.

Then Olephia put her arms around Kassandora and squeezed tightly. Kassandora hugged her back. She hated that she couldn’t simply relax in her sister’s arms. Her arms had scanned the room, Helenna, Kavaa and Iniri had grouped together against a wall and were watching Arascus silently. He was looking at them with humour and curiosity.

Eventually, Olephia pulled away. She pulled a notebook from a pocket in her purple dress, ripped off a piece of paper and handed it to Kassandora. Kassandora took it, she wanted to laugh and cry as Olephia started scrawling quickly:Kassie, you are absolutely one of the most despicable characters I know. Not despicable in that I hate you, you are simply despicable in the fact that you never called. You never even sent us a text message. I do not understand how you can act like this. You know I love. I know you love me. And yet you never contact me in anyway. I have nothing else to say, it is simply a despicable way of acting. We are not your co-workers or your soldiers Kassie. We are your family. Family stick to together…

Kassandora didn’t finish the entire text before Olephia ripped it out of her hands and put it to her throat. Kassandora heard the quietest tingle of her Olephia’s throat and the paper burned away from existence. It didn’t even leave ash behind. Olephia handed Kassandora another piece of paper, with a bright smile painted onto her face. Kassandora took it and almost burst into tears:It’s good to see you Kassie. I missed you.

“I missed you too.” Kassandora said and wrapped her arms around her sister again. This was a better hug. Warmer, longer, less tight. It was an embrace. Still though, Kassandora monitored the situation. No one said anything, Fer was making a stupid face. Neneria had grown bored of the situation and was looking around at the men running around outside. Kassandora finally broke the hug. She supposed she should say something to introduce the three to Arascus. It was…

Kassandora did not know what to say. Whenever Arascus was about, her mind simply relied on him, unless it was something related to direct open war and nothing else. Arascus must have realised that too. “I am Arascus, God of Pride, although I think introductions are unnecessary for us.” He said and extended his arm. “Kavaa, Helenna, Iniri, I thank all of you for saving Kassandora. You have my gratitude.”

Kavaa nodded first, Kassandora saw her move, step forward and if to speak, and then prod Helenna with her elbow to get her to lead the conversation. Helenna was the Goddess of Love after all, talking was in her demesne.

“We…” Helenna said, then pulled herself up. Her posture steeled itself, she brought her head straight and readjusted her suit. “What was in the past is history.” Arascus smiled, his dark hair fell down past his shoulders as he looked down on the three Goddesses.

“What was in the past is history.” He said. “What happened in the Great War is ancient history.” He looked around the room. “We’re some of the few people still alive to remember it. There is no reason to dig up past grievances we’ve had against each over.”

“We’re not in any position to act on them.” Helenna said, then nodded to Kassandora. “It’s Kass who has become the star of the show here. We’re not going to be an issue for you.” Arascus smiled to himself. Kassandora almost saw sparks between them as they looked each other down.

“I’m not here to cause us anymore grievances either. As I said, I’m aware the three of you rescued Kassandora, and Kavaa assisted in Baalka’s rescue too.” He extended his arm. “I’m not here to cause you trouble, nor are you in any position to cause me trouble. Fer and Neneria have already vouched for you too. There is no reason to let our history taint what could be a productive future together.”

Helenna looked down at Arascus’ hand. Kassandora felt her fists curl as her heart pounded. This wasn’t her demesne anymore. This was for them to decide. She should have said something earlier. She should have introduced them somehow. She should have…

She watched Helenna shake Arascus’ hand. And he passed it to Kavaa.

Kassandora watched Kavaa shake his hand. And he passed it to Iniri.

And the Goddess of Nature shook his hand as well.

Arascus smiled at them. “It will be a pleasure working with you in the future. If you ever need assistance, ask for me or any of my daughters.”

Helenna mustered up some of her strength, her hair went from a neutral brown to a vivid red. “We fled from the Pantheon because we became pawns to use as Allasaria pleased. We’re not going to become your pawns either. I just want to be clear from where we’re coming from.” Arascus looked back at Kassandora in a grandiose manner, then at Helenna.

“Are you Kassandora’s pawn?”

Helenna responded immediately. “No, we work with her and she works with us.” Kassandora didn’t even know how she managed to make the woman think that. She had been doing nothing but assigning orders for the past two months.

“You will find working with me is little different than with Kassandora.”

“But you’re not her.”

“And neither are you.” He looked around, at Kass, at Olephia, at Fer and Neneria outside. “I came because Kass asked me to, but there is also things to discuss. Business to be done. Fer, your help will be needed.” Fer’s ears jumped excitedly at that. “We should discuss somewhere more comfortable than this tent though.” He took a step, then stopped at the door. Arascus had always been dramatic.

“Helenna, Kavaa, Iniri, you’re invited to join. To see how it is working with me before you make your mind up.”