The otter god and a girls dagger

Arianna let him slip her arms off his neck. She nodded quickly, still a little flustered from the previous activity. But atleast this one seemed much easier, although there was still no room for error. She watched him carefully before following in his step.

June nodded, she was proud of the knowledge her grandmother held. She looked towards the path ahead of them. She didn't realize how narrow it actually was, and it'd be a lie to say her heart wasn't racing. "O-okay" She stammered as she clutched Shaheen closer.

Continues the rest of the way with him going frist and Arianna following behind him until they finally reach the top. "That wasn't so bad." Roel was a little tired, it was difficult to jump so much with his heavy armor smacking his back. He decided to plop down and watch the other two make there way up. While watching the two he remembered that Arianna had hurt her leg, looking back and up at her, "Is your leg hurting?"

---

Shaheen knew there really wasn't much he could do besides let the girl carry him up the steps. He couldn't deny that he liked the royal treatment but he missed his body. "Watch that step! Don't forget that my life is in your hands too human! If you fall don't drag me down with you!"

Arianna looked up at him curious at his question before chuckling and waving her hand dismissively with a smile. "No-no, June fixed it for me." She plopped down next to him and leaned close to him "Why~? were you worried about me this whole time?"

June scoffed at the trapped god. "You really know how to ease the pressure don't you?" June sighed a moment, studying the steps before making her way across and reuniting with the other adventurers. Once on the top floor she set Shaheen down on the ground.

Her ankle really looked like it had never even been hurt to begin with and the fact that she had been jumping on it with no problem just proved it. Roel turned to look at June curiously as she arrived on the platform with the little god. He chuckled at Arianna statement but kept his eyes on June, "of course. It would be a shame if a hero like me let a damsel befall any danger."

---

Shaheen stayed beside the white haired girl, his plan was to stay with her until he got his answers.

Arianna noticed how she didn't have his gaze anymore and she puffed her cheeks in a slight pout. "Roel~" She cooed as she placed her hand on his thigh. "Shouldn't we continue on? It'll be dark soon, won't it." She lowered her gaze demurely for a moment before peering back up at him through her bangs "this place is even scarier at night!"

June panted softly and looked down at Arianna her eyes narrowing slightly, not cause of the games she was playing but because she wasn't awarded the same chance to relax as she just did. "Five minutes won't hurt us." June smiled as she gracefully sat down across from the two.

Shaheen watched the arianna and Roel with annoyance. There was no time to waste on such things as flirting. "We should go unless you want to spend the night in here. And I don't think that would be a great idea." A roll of thunder could be hear from outside.

---

"Let her rest." Roel stated to shaheen firmly then turned and gave arianna a small smile, "don't worry. You have me here right."

Arianna smiled at him "What a great comfort." She looked down to Shaheen, taking note of the thunder "Why don't you have any god friends to help you out, Mr. Otter?"

June was thankful that Roel was there to keep Shaheen in check. She now had a slight understanding of why they bickered so much. Shaheen could probably expect her to walk all night if he really wanted. But maybe that was the difference between humans and gods.

( lmao idk what I'm doing w/june)

Shaheen honestly didn't know if he had much of anyone on his side, well anyone that could really do anything. There were plenty of small gods that he knew would help but against another element god they couldn't do much. He narrowed his eyes, the winch made sure to destroy his name with the other powerful gods before turning him into this pathetic water creature. "Most Gods do not offer their help so freely." If he wanted anything from the gods he would have to give up more then it would be worth.
"It's a wonder why you Gods aren't loved by humans anymore." Shaheen noted the bitterness in Roels voice but couldn't be mad at him for it. He knew why he held his grudge against them but the Gods had taken everyone he had cared for away from him. Roel was somehow mixed up in whatever was happening and that's why Shaheen had picked him.

Arianna rolled her eyes "What's the point in that? It seems like humans have a better temperament than gods" She pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her knees loosely. She gave a slight not to Roel's statement. "It's not like there's any benefits to it anymore either." She reached over and lifted Shaheen's tail and let it fall down with a plop "There's definitely no use when you're like this."

June turned her head away doing her best to ignore their conversation. But her hands couldn't help but to ball up in small fists. "Don't you think that's a little unnecessarily?" she finally snapped. A bit surprised at the harshness in her voice. She dropped her shoulders and turned her gaze down "Sorry"

"I will not be like this forever child so do not disrespect us immortals so freely. Do you have a reason to be bitter against us? I may talk harshly on them because I am one of them but not you." Shaheen would not stand the bad mouthing of some human girl. He agreed that Gods had their dark and selfish side but they were still good. They had created this world and these humans and took it upon themselves to answer their greedy wishes. The humans should know the risks that come with their wants.

---

"She has the freedom to say what she wants. She doesn't need your permission." Roel glared at the otter then glanced at June from a moment before looking away. He could tell that June still had her beliefs in the Gods and he felt slightly guilty for bad mouthing something that she believed in, but not enough to keep him silent. "You should just be happy you have someone who still believes in your bull shit."

---

Shaheen glared back at the red headed man who kept his eyes averted from him and June. "He chose his own path. You can not blame us for that." He said it in warning, knowing the man would know who he was speaking of. The god may have pitied the boy for his bad luck but there was still a line he would learn well not to cross. The tension was instant after those words as blue eyes turned coldly towards him. Neither said another word as they stared each other down.

Arianna rolled her eyes at the tiny otter's lecture. But as soon as the air became tense she really began to regret mentioning anything at all. "Hey..." She stated flatly hoping to at least break them out of their staring war. She never knew how to respond when people fought, especially friends. But despite this fact she seemed to have a knack for playing devil's advocate. When there was no response to her she began to shift awkwardly in her spot, she glanced to June and gave her a pleading expression, begging her to do something.

June stared at Arianna and averted her gaze. What was she supposed to do? She looked up at Roel, his expression was scary. She shakily reached over and hesitantly placed her hand over his gently. "Roel."

He grasped the petite hand harshly out of instinct drawing his gaze sharply to the girl. As soon as he noticed who it was he quickly let go and his gaze softened. He saw the worried look from both of them and lowered his gaze, “Sorry.” It was muttered and tinged with regret for showing them such a dark side of himself. He still refused to acknowledge the god who had no right to bring up something from his past. Standing up he turned his back to everyone, “We should head out now.”

---

Shaheen watched them and decided it was best to let the subject drop.

June couldn't help but to flinch at the man's sudden reaction. "G-good idea" She stammered as she watched the still troubled man rise to his feet. She quickly followed suit but was careful to give him space.

Arianna watched the two with a frown and sighed harshly before standing up. "What a buzz kill" She muttered as she crossed her arms across her chest, taking the lead of the group and heading out of the dingy temple.

Roel followed behind the taller girl as she lead the way out of the temple entrance. Nothing sounded better then to be back out in the sun. But just as they all walked thought the doorway a loud bang hit their ears as something flashed in front of them. He could feel the ground shake under his feet as he blocked his eyes with his arm. Ears ringing he though he could hear shaheen but he soon noticed that he couldn't even hear his own voice as the called out to the girls.
Roel lowered his arm and squinted his eyes open. His vision was fuzzy but he could still make out the two girls. Turning his eyes to arianna he just barely saw a figure moving down towards them. Watch out! he called but he still couldn't hear himself. There was no way she would hear him. Instinct took over as he rushed forward, grabbing the girl and throwing them both to the ground just as a giant thunder bolt shaped sword landed into the ground where Arianna had been standing. Roel glared up at a pale blond haired man who turn cold grey eyes down at him.

---

Shaheen had been knocked back, being to small to handle the small shockwave from the lightning that had hit the ground. Once he had gained control of himself he had tried to yell at Roel but he could tell the man couldn't hear him. Quickly he ran to June and jumped on her shoulder trying to talking over the now cackling laughter of the man who had just landed before them. "you need to get out of here!"

Arianna quickly threw her hands up to cover her ears. She turned her body away from the loud flash but before she could even begin to register what happened she was thrown to the ground by a strong force. She coughed for a moment to try and get the wind back that was just knocked out of her. She looked up only to see Roel face to face with the demi-god who had terrorized them earlier. Things were not looking good.

June stumbled back from the impact she could hardly make out what the otter was saying. Once the ringing faded and she understood him "Where are we supposed to go?!" Her face was riddled with worry. She didn't know if Roel was capable of fighting a god, no matter what their rank, it would be a difficult task for sure. She turned her gaze back to the red headed warrior. "I can't leave you two"

"Take your friend and get out of range otherwise you will be killed." Shaheen barked out to her before jumping down off her shoulder, he had to get to Roel incase the warrior needed his help.


Roel pulled his sword out and made sure he was in-between the god and Arianna. He stood with his sword ready to defend whenever the pale haired man decided to strike.


"So your the human who's been babysitting my dear uncle." the man's grey eyes moved to find the small figure of Shaheen and laughed at what he saw. He turned and walked casually towards the otter and June ignoring the tightening of Roel's grip in his sword. Stopping a few feet away he leaned down slightly to get a better look at the animal, "It seems the rumors are true then. The water bitch really did rip off your royal feathers. Now your just like a grounded pigeon." His right arm moved, dragging the tip of his sword over the dirt towards the little god, "Father would be pleased if I brought that furry little head back to him."


As soon as Roel saw the man move his sword towards Shaheen he moved, rushing behind the man and bringing his sword down towards the mans neck. Just as his tip was close to cutting the man a loud clash sounded as Roels sword hit the jagged blade of the gods. He pulled back slightly, shocked at how fast the man had moved to block him without even looking back.


Shaheen was nervous but he wasn't about to show it to the god. "Marduke." He hissed in a threatening voice, at least as threatening as an otter could sound.

The ease of which the blond man had stopped Roel's attack was astonishing. June watched in awe for a moment before coming back to, this was not the place nor the time to be distracted with such silly things. She took this moment to run around the back of the fallen pillars, keeping as low as she could to the ground as to keep from gaining any unwanted attention. She knelt down beside her friend and grabbed her by the arms and pulled her up to her feet. "C'mon Ari, this is something we can't stick around for."

Arianna stumbled to her feet but was unable to keep her eyes from what was happening before her. "What about Roel though?" She yelled, gripping her friend's sleeve for support as she stood. "Did you not just see that?!"

"Shh-shh" June placed her hand firmly over her friend's mouth. "Shut up Ari," Without anymore hesitation June began to tug her friend away.

Shaheen watched Roel as he stood behind the god, he could tell by the tension in the mans shoulder that he was still shocked by the speed of that block. Before his partner recovered and got himself hurt Shaheen had to distract him. "You know that won't kill me. What are you really here for? To come gloat at me now that Bulut has let you off your leash."

---

Mardukes eyes stormed at Shaheen for a moment before he got control of himself and glanced back at Roel with a smirk, "I was merely curious to see who you had shacked up with now that you are pathetic and useless." He turned his body around, dragging his sword once more over the ground and looked down at the god with a happy glint in his eyes, "Now that I've seen him, I think it would be fun to play with your human."

---

Before Roel had even seen Marduke move the god had swung his hand back and knocked the warrior in the chest. The god then watched as Roel staggered back and tried to catch the breath that had been hit out of him. Roel wrapped his fingers tighter on the hilt of his sword to keep his hand from shaking. There was no way he could fight a god, he couldn’t even see the man move. Even with that thought Roel still rose his sword to point at the man determined not to look weak. "Do that again and I will cut your hand off."

---

Marduke stared at the boy then laughed loudly at his words, raising his sword a few inches about the dirt. His laughter stopped suddenly as he rose his sword higher, "Like that piece of shit sword could cut me." His sword was on Roel in an instant, Mardukes grey eyes twinkled at the blood he expected to see.
CLANG Once again the two blades meet. The god couldn't help his eyes widening with surprise.

---

Roel was pissed at the god. There was no way he was going to let anyone bad mouth his sword. He pushed forward and then swung down, hoping to cut deep into the mans arm but the god pulled back. Roel watched as the man looked down at the thin cut the small blade had made.
Mardukes cocky look soon turned to rage at seeing his own blood. The skies behind him darkened as lightning flashed across the clouds.

Arianna couldn't help but to drag her feet after her friend. Who would ever see a fight like this in their lifetime. Yeah, she had seen other villagers fight but it was nothing like this. Her violet eyes widened in surprise at how gracefully the two were moving "Woah.." She muttered before looking back up at her friend who was getting more irritated at the time that was being wasted "Did you see that, June?"

June narrowed her eyes at her friend and hissed through her teeth "No Ari. No I didn't. I'm too busy trying to get us to safety so we don't get killed."

Arianna frowned at her friend but decided that it probably would be best if they got out of the area. But not without one last glance. She whirled her head around just in time to see Roel inflict a small cut on the god. "Go Roel!" She cheered.

"Ari!" June screamed as she forcibly pulled her friend behind a pillar. She pressed her body against hers and clamped her hand hard over her mouth. "be quiet." She whispered harshly. Praying that her friend would go unnoticed in this tension.

Both men turned when they heard the girls and the skies quieted. Marduke dropped his sword into the ground and smirked, "ah. Almost forgot the real reason I'm hear." A flash of lightning hit where his sword was and it was gone. Marduke let out a loud whistle, "fetch the girl lightning."
A white wolf appeared where June and arianna hide. He quickly slipped between the girls, knocking June onto his back and let out a thunderous bark.

---

"June!" Roel ran towards her but was stopped when marduke grabbed his collar and threw him back onto the ground.

Both girls jumped at the sudden appearance of the wolf. June yelped as she was thrown onto the beast's back. She gripped his thick fur as to not fall off.

Arianna frowned at the dog and covered her ears at his loud bark. "Put her down" She yelled at the large mutt

The wolf ignored Arianna and jumped high up into the air, landing safely onto a lower floating cloud.

Shaheen turned when he heard the bark and noticed what was happening. "Why are you going after that human?" Shaheen yelled out to Marduke.

"Ah. Why you ask? Does that mean you don't know yet?" Marduke looked at the otter with amusment in his eyes, "To not even be able to feel the presence of your own icon. You really are a pigeon." The god gave one last laugh before lightning shot down again and they were gone. And echo rumbled from the clouds, "If you figure it out then come get her little pigeon."

"June!" Shaheen heard Roel yell but he was to shocked to notice the man, he had known there was something special about her but to have his icon. How could he not have felt it!? He looked down at himself terrified that maybe he had become that weak.

Roel yelled again even after they had disappeared. Getting to his feet he ran to Arianna and grabbed her, "Are you okay?"

Arianna gripped Roel's sleeves and searched over him frantically, looking for any signs of injury. "Yeah, I'm good!" She looked up at him worried "What about you?" she looked to Shaheen and heard what the god had said about the relic. "I swear Shaheen! I had NO idea she had that thing"

June buried her face in the neck of the dog that was carrying her. She was mad, and upset and was trying to keep herself from tears. She didn't want to be outed like that. In fact she didn't want Shaheen to know until she was ready to tell him. She lifted her face from the warmth of the dog and hollered at the erratic god. "What'd you do that for!?" she wiped the tears that had begun pooling at the corners of her eyes.

Roel was glad to note that Arianna looked fine, a little frazzled but fine. "I'm okay. Just a few bruises." Looks towards the god and frown. "this is your fault rodent. We have to go after her."

Shaheen wasn't really listening to them, his mind was still stuck on his statue. Even though the thunder god now had it he was still happy. To think he was so close to having it. ((he doesn't know that its broken up.)) "Yes. I know where he will go." He ran and jumped up onto Roels shoulder, more energized then ever. "He lives up on what I believe you humans call death peak mountain."

Roel frowned at that. "That's a day's ride from here. Probably around two if we had to walk. and climbing it won't be easy." He grabbed the otter and held him up, "He better not hurt her."

Shaheen squirmed, "Let go. I doubt he will harm her. He is probably using her as bait to draw me there. Otherwise he would have just taken the statue from her."

---

Marduke looked back at the girl as lightning came to a walk. He turned and walked over to the girl and examined her watery eyes, "Ah, the emotions of a human." he always found them quit amusing. "Do you hate me then?" He teased, wanting to test the girl.

Arianna frowned "A two day walk plus climbing?" Her shoulders sagged at the thought but rose again with determination "Well, if it's for June!" she looked back at the other two "Are we leaving tonight? Do we need to stop by the village"

June frowned and turned her head away, embarrassed with such a display. She raised her chin and closed her eyes "I'm not going to engage you any further"