Atlanta, Georgia, USA
"And, why are we here, She-Wolf?"
Lykopis could not help but grin as she lead the three of them down a back alley in downtown Atlanta. Her companions, she knew, were not used to 'slumming it' as some might say. Truth be told, neither was she, but she had lived many lives... and it is difficult for one who has lived so long in so many different states to be fazed by much of anything.
"Stop whining, Lord Aeolus," she said, leading them past a couple winos passed out in the alley. "I have on good authority there is one here who can help us. Surely, any assistance against this 'Dark One' of yours would be greatly appreciated?"
"Certainly," the Wind King said, looking rather remorsefully at his form-fitting black digs, including the spiked dog collar about his neck. "These raiments, however, are most unbecoming someone of my stature."
"Stop complaining, Aeolus," Medea bitched from beside him. "At least you aren't parading around in glorified underpants..." She didn't seem to like the fishnets, thigh-high boots, chainmail jewelry and black leather corset. "These would have looked far more becoming on your, m'lady."
"A wake of your hand and they change anyhow, Medea," Lykopis said, ignoring the unwanted advance from the sorceress. The Lady herself had donned a flowing black dress which completely covered every part of her. Medea, it seemed, had a roving eye worse than many a man. "Now... here we are."
Looking up, the three of them took in a small neon sign over a door. The sign had no words, just an ampersand symbol blaring out into the surrounding blackness. A large man with a black goatee and heavy flannel glared at them as they approached. As they neared, he put out his cigarette against the brick wall and stepped in front of the door.
"Help you?" he asked gruffly, his Southern accent shining through.
"We were hopin' to get in, see the show," Lykopis said, seemlessly mimicking the man's drawl. Behind her, Medea and Aeolus shared a look - partly for the accent and partly because they knew they didn't need to be inside to see the show... they could hear the music just fine from where they stood.
"Sorry," the guard said. "Full house t'night."
"Surely you jest," Medea piped up, raising her hand to point at the man. "If you are suggesting that I put on this get-up not to get into this establishment, then you are sorely mistaken!"
"'Fraid I can't help ya," he said, shrugging his massive shoulders. "Guess you'll hafta find some other place to go t'night." With that, he folded his thick arms across his broad chest, reavealing a slew of intricate tattoos covering his forearms.
Medea's eyes began to glow a subtle shade of red. "I am warning you one last time, you imbecilic oaf! Either let us in, or..."
"What is he doing?"
At the sound of Lykopis' voice, the heads of Medea, Aeolus, and the bouncer turned down the alley to see a thin, waifish figure leaning over the drunken bum they'd passed earlier. He was pale, sickeningly so, dressed all in black. In his hand, he held a long pole. He was staring intently at the vagrant, who was now awake and seemed to be quite frightened.
Lykopis was now running for the young man. Flying into the air, she landed a kick to his shoulder, knocking him off-balance and onto the ground. A sound of rushing wind and both Aeolus and Medea were by her side, gazing down at the form of the crumpled Goth boy. His pole had rolled out of his grip.
Her Ladyship had noted that the boy's breathing had slowed - he was unconscious. She peered at him curiously. There was something odd, here.
"Gods..." Medea whispered under her breath. "It is the Void..."
"How did you know that name?" Lykopis asked, remembering the crumpled flyer Edmund had given her.
"I've run into this boy before," Medea said. "He has killed gods. Monsters. Hades, he is a monster himself."
"If he's a monster, it is only because he has battled them for so long," Lykopis said.
"He is a devourer of souls, She-Wolf," Aeolus chimed in. "Look at this fresh victim..."
Lykopis had forgotten the sot by the wall. His form was rigid against the wall. His breathing, stilted and fast. However, there was no life behind his eyes. His soul had been claimed by the Void.
"We cannot allow him to come with us," Medea said. "No matter what this... man told you, there is no place for him in our number."
"Unlike you, I trust my friends, Medea," Lykopis said. "Like it or not, we face a monster. Who better to have on our side than a monster of our own?"
Medea remained unconvinced. Aeolus's gaze was stern, but ultimately unreadable.
"Either he joins our quest, or I part company with you here and now."
Both the sorceress and the demigod were taken aback by that one. After an infinite moment, Medea sighed.
"Very well," she said, "but I will not carry him back to the Argos."
"Agreed," Lykopis said, nodding. With ease, she hefted the boy over her shoulder and, without another word, turned in the direction they'd come.
Medea turned and followed the warrior with her eyes as she walked away. "I swear," she muttered to Aeolus, "if it weren't for that ass, I would have killed her just then."
"So much the better you didn't, Medea," he said. "I imagine she will prove her worth sooner than later."
"We must hope," she said, preparing to go.
"One last thing," Aeolus said. Medea turned, an eyebrow raised. The Wind King pointed back toward the door of &. Standing outside, the large bouncer stood glaring, his mouth agape.
"A memory spell, if you could please, Medea?"
The terror of Colchis smiled sadistically as she cracked her knuckles. "With pleasure," she said, advancing toward the man. "With pleasure..."
