Starcaller

The sun had long dipped under the horizon, casting the forest into a land of shadows. Orion and Hercules had made camp in a small clearing, the flames cracking in the centre, casting dancing lights on the trees around them.

Orion lay on his back, staring up at the stars that peeked through gaps in the canopy. The compass given by Wukong lay next to him, still faintly glowing with a single beam of light.

"You did well today," Heracles said as he chewed on a piece of dried meat. "You're keeping up much more than I expected; normal people would have collapsed miles back."

Orion turned his head, laughing." Was that a compliment from Heracles himself?"

Hercules smirked. "Don't let it get to your head. You still move like a baby deer. But... you've got grit. That matters."

Orion leaned back again, the firelight reflecting in his eyes." How long do you think it will take to find Nyx?"

"No way to find out," Heracles replied. "The compass will lead us, but the world isn't stable whatsoever right now. Especially when you're following the path of a being like Nyx."

After a pause, Orion asked, "Why do you think Wukong wants to talk to her?"

Heracles shifted, looking directly into the fire."Honestly? I don't know. Nyx doesn't care about war or politics. She's a Protogenoi- One of the first beings to ever hold divinity. Ancient. Raw power. Most of her pantheon was overthrown during Kronos' uprising. Not all of them died. She didn't."

"So what does she do now?"

"She just.. exists. Keeps to herself. Never picks sides. There was one time she fought Marici over something dumb- who gets to govern twilight or something. Real petty problems lasted a very long time."

Orion snorted." Gods are so dramatic."

A moment passed in silence, broken by the crackle of firelight and the night sounds of the forest.

Then Orion asked, quite this time, "What do you think is going to happen at the meeting?"

Heracles resting against a tree, arms crossed behind his head

"Something is bound to happen. I can feel it in my gut. There is way too much tension between all beings. Too many egos trapped in one room." He glanced at Orion with a grin. "But I can't lie—I'm kind of looking forward to it. I always did enjoy a good fight."

Heracles chuckled. "Now get some sleep. We've got a long walk ahead of us."

A crack.

Orion's eyes shot open.

The fire had dwindled to flickering embers, the clearing dark and still. Too Still.

He sat up, trying to be as quiet as possible, ears straining,

Another snap.

Leaves rustled. Something was moving through the underbush.

He rose to his feet, grabbing his sword. The moment his hand touched his hand touched the hilt, a voice came from the shadows- smooth

"There's no point in hiding, little prey."

Orion spun towards the sound.

From the darkness stepped a woman, her presence radiating heat and fury. Her skin shimmered like desert fire. Her wild mane of golden hair frolicked in an invisible wind. She wore a blood-stained cloak of lion hide, and her eyes burned red-silted and beastlike.

She looked like a goddess of battle.

Before Orion could process it, she lunged.

The strike shattered Orion's blade in an instant. He hit the ground, groaning, wind knocked out of him.

"Orion!" Heracles leapt from his bedroll, grabbing his club mid-roll dashing towards them.

The woman met his attack, laughing out loud. Her claws sparked against the enchanted wood of Heracles' weapon.

Orion struggled upright, pain rushing through his ribs. "Who...?"

"Sekhmet," Heracles spat. "Lion goddess. Egyptian war spirit."

Sekhmet smiled viciously."

Sekhmet entered into the moonlight, her eyes glowing like embers. Her fangs bared in a sharp grin.

"What are you doing out here, Heracles? And with a mortal, no less?"

She cocked her head with mocking curiosity." Where exactly are you two headed?"

Heracles narrowed his eyes

"That's none of your business."

Sekhmet's grin widened, cruel and wild.

"Ah... I remember now. Back then, you sided with that dammed monkey and his little monster rebellion."

She lifted her clawed hand, the air around hr began to shimmer with heat.

"No matter. I think I'll kill you both."

"You'll have to pass through me," Heracles growled, swinging his vlub in a wide arc.

Sekhmet ducked low, swiping at his legs. He jumped over her, twisting mid-air, and brought the club down hard. It hit her shoulder, driving her into the dirt.

She rolled back to her feet with unnatural grace, her eyes wild. "That hurt."

"Good," Heracles muttered.

They clashed again — fast and godly.

Claws scraped against divine skin. The club cracked the Earth. Sparks flew as their strikes collided.

Orion grabbed the remains of his sword and tried to steady himself.

"Stay down!" Heracles barked, blocking another dangerous blow.

"No," Orion said through gritted teeth. "I'm not useless."

Sekhmet darted past Heracles, claws aimed straight for Orion's throat.

Heracles intercepted her, grabbing her by the waist and slamming her body into the floor.

"Eyes up!" he shouted as Sekhmet kicked him back and flipped to her feet.

She was too fast. And she wasn't slowing down.

Heracles was bleeding from shallow cuts. He held his side, breathing heavier.

"Are you alright?" Orion called.

"No," Heracles responded. "But I'm not dead. Yet."

"I can fight."

Heracles looked back at him, eyes stern. "You sure?"

Orion stood, dropping the shattered blade and drawing a dagger instead. "Let's kill a goddess."

Heracles smirked. "That's the spirit."

A boy and a god.

Facing the lioness of war.