CHAPTER 110: ENEMIES

The Warden’s voice broke his thoughts.

’Fearless.’

’Fearless? What is that supposed to mean?’

The word was random, arbitrary, and without meaning until Charon looked deeper into it.

’Is he saying that I shouldn’t be afraid? He can only use one word at a time, at least for now, so maybe that’s him trying to communicate that I shouldn’t worry about Achlys having enemies come after me.’

Realizing there was no use questioning it when Achlys was right there, he took a steadying breath and turned to face her. His tone was friendly, but subdued, not wanting to incite her to anger.

"Hey Achlys, I just realized that since you are my summon, any enemies you have will now be coming after me as well, especially because you’re only Novice 7 now. Should I be worried?"

Her silhouette shifted as if she were annoyed with the question, but she still responded, her tone curt.

"I had none. Many of my siblings would cause such hatred in others, but that was never my goal. My father created me to maintain balance among us, not bring further disorder."

Charon’s brow furrowed.

"Created you? You’re saying Death created all his demi-gods?"

Achlys scoffed and shook her head, her response even more annoyed.

"Of course. All demi-gods are created as extensions of their patron. Unlike you mortals, who have the opportunity to choose what you become in life, we were built with a purpose. It is only once we are bound that we are allowed to deviate from that."

’I never thought about it that way. It makes sense, they are demi-gods after all, half a god. It sounds strangely horrible, though. Being made for a single thing and being unable to change. It’s torture.’

The Warden and Achlys didn’t seem to mind it, however, so he felt it was best to let them keep their opinions on the matter.

’Not that it affects me, anyway. Their burdens are their own, even if they are my summons. I’ll do my best to help, but I’m not some cosmic judge.’

"So I shouldn’t worry?"

Achlys began to shake her head before pausing. She held for a moment in contemplation before replying, her tone a little more forgiving.

"Yes and no. I have no enemies, yet you will."

Charon frowned. He stepped away from the onyx wall to get closer to her, hoping that the distance would make her more amenable to his questions.

"Why would I have enemies?"

She pointed to herself, then towards Charon, although he knew she was referring to the Warden.

"The position of Archon is highly sought after for the power it provides, and it has a few requirements. One of which is that all Archons must be bonded with at least one demi-god, with the more they are connected to, the greater their odds."

She looked down and sighed, ripples appearing in her form as she did.

"Our connection makes you a target, both for those who would seek to take me as their own summon, and those who don’t want an Archon to return and challenge their authority."

It was a concerning development, something Charon hadn’t counted on.

’So by having Achlys and the Warden, I’ve painted a target on my back. People will think I’m trying to become an Archon.’

"How will they know I have you two?"

Achlys laughed at that for a moment, the sound strangely attractive and alluring.

"We are demi-gods, not pets. Our very existence leaves a trace. It is a miracle someone has not asked you about the Warden, yet. As your power grows, so does ours, with the touch of divinity growing stronger as well. Soon, it will be clear to all who gaze upon us that we are of the gods."

Charon inhaled deeply before a new thought hit him.

"Then how come I couldn’t tell you and the Warden were demi-gods at first? I knew you were powerful, but nothing like this."

"Your rank. You are weak, boy, and lack the strength necessary to sense true divinity. If you were an Acolyte, or an Apprentice, you would have known the moment you laid eyes upon us."

Charon winced at the blunt assessment but didn’t argue. She was right, after all.

Compared to her, compared to the Warden, even compared to Emerius, he was still fumbling in the dark.

"So basically the stronger I get, the easier it’ll be for others to see what I’ve got following me around."

Achlys gave a single nod.

"Yes. And when they see, they will covet. Mortals hunger for power even more desperately than gods."

That word covet hit him a little harder than expected.

He thought of the High Elders, the nobles back home, and even the desperation of the other orphans. They would do awful things for small rewards, a coin here, a plot of land there, with little regard for who it hurts.

What would they do to someone who could give them the power of a god?

’Nothing good. They would fight over me the first chance they got. This isn’t good.’

He tried to laugh, but it came out hollow.

"And if someone tries to take you? Can they?"

Achlys tilted her head, as if offended by the idea.

"They can try. To succeed, they would need to sever your bond first. That requires power most mortals do not possess."

Charon grimaced.

"Most, which means some of them can."

The thought of waking up without Achlys, or especially the Warden, stripped of the strength they gave him, chilled him more than the mist ever could.

She must have noticed, because her tone softened slightly.

"Fear not, boy. Those who come for you will find only sorrow."

That was meant as reassurance, but the way she said it made him shiver all the same.

Charon wondered if gaining demi-gods would make him incredibly powerful, or if it had just made him the most wanted man in all of the galaxy. Right now, he was leaning towards the latter.

’It’s fine. Totally fine. To take them, they would need to overpower me and my summons, and that does include the two demi-gods themselves. If they were weak, no one would want them, so I have a chance. All I need to do is get powerful quickly, so the window of opportunity is small.’

He began to panic in his mind, his mind racing through all the dangerous possibilities before he realized he had to distract himself. Focusing on the holo-pad, he activated Achlys’ description, hoping that it would be more comforting,

[Name: Achlys]

[Description: The fourth demi-god created by Death, Achlys was a creation designed to broker a peace between the other squabbling spawn. She was given dominion over the mists, a once-terrifying force that held incredible prophetic and emotional strength. With this weapon, she forced her siblings to compromise, finding a middle ground that would last centuries. For this, her father rewarded her with certain freedoms, such as a church being allowed to grow in her name. Everything changed when—]

The rest of the description was cut out, as if someone had purposefully removed the remainder.

’What’s up with the holo-pad? It should have the ability to translate past this.’

He closed and refreshed the box, yet nothing changed.

Charon tried to tap the edge of the virtual screen, his frustration mounting, only made worse by the fact it wasn’t actually there for it to touch..

’Great. Of course it would cut off right when it was getting important. Why would anything ever be simple?’

He glanced at Achlys, but her misty outline gave away nothing. If she noticed the missing section, she didn’t comment.

He spoke while gesturing at the air in front of him.

"Is this intentional?"

Her silence was answer enough.

’So someone doesn’t want me knowing the rest. That means it’s dangerous. Or embarrassing. Or both.’

He closed it with a sigh and leaned back against the wall again. The weight of the chains pressed on his chest, heavier than before.

’Secrets on top of secrets, I now need to watch for opportunists, and I’m supposed to sleep tonight?’

The Warden’s voice whispered again, faint but steady. It was soothing and dignified in a way he wasn’t used to.

’Endure.’

Charon shut his eyes, squeezing them tightly as if it would get rid of all the shit he was dealing with.

It didn’t work.

’Easier said than done, buddy.’