Fantasy A Pantheon of Fakes(Retry)

[Fabian Gaurd]

The smell of wine, bread, and smoke filled the nostrils of Fabian as he sat in the inn. Many people were very excited all around him. The gathering of the gods at the Pantheon was about to take place the next day, and many people were excited as to what celebrations the Pantheon would host. As this was the annual gathering no real discussions were coming to the table, meaning the Champions, having gathered from across the continent to the pantheon, would do what they always did when there was nothing else to be done. Party. Fabian chuckled slightly and sipped on his drink. He was never expressly invited to these gatherings, many people considered the Trickster gods shrine to be more of an assassins and criminals guild than a place an actual temple. Being in the Capital one would think people would recognize a champion. Not Fabian, apparently. The champion was very good at not being seen when he didn't want to be, but he began to question his need for his powers when nobody paid him any mind in the first place.


"How fitting that the champion of deception and stealth isn't noticed when he isn't even trying to stay hidden. Either i'm just that good or i'm just that useless." Fabian mumbled. He continues walking through the market district munching on his snack. Fabian was not unaccustomed to this place. He had done many a...job here.


It was actually, in his opinion, enjoyable. Children's laughter and the hustle of the market rang in his ears, fantastic displays of magic from temple saints were being displayed on every corner. Warriors from across the land showing off the glistening armor and fruits of their travels. The city seemed in near constant celebration. The saints, even those doing charity work and healing the sick, were here with one purpose. Display the power of their gods. The saints of Aphrodite and the saints of Cupid always had an underlying competition of who could bed more people. The various warrior saints had small martial arts displays in hope of recruiting young warriors to their temple. Due to the fact that the champions powers had brought peace to Zastier for quite some time, tensions between champions rose, and these underlying battles had eased them for many a decade.


Fabian shook his head and pulled himself out of his mental monologue and continued down the path towards the Crow district, the home of the Capitals thieves, criminals, and con artists. Even the guards didn't traverse here. With good reason.

 

[fushiis]

(( writers block im sorry TT TT i tried to write as much as i could ))


Kai liked it when the capital was bustling with such excitement and liveliness, it was easier to lose herself in it. Who would not? People with smiles painted on their faces, the music and dancing all around her. The mood was contagious and intoxicating, if only she could freeze time have things stay this way forever. The pantheon had to wait. How could she not help but explore every stall and shop, and the people displaying their talents? She just had to live in this moment, perhaps such opportunity would not pass the next time around. Kai tugs the hood of her jacket lower and smiles to herself, before weaving herself into the crowd and joining the festivities.


It was after much frolicking and cheering that she had began to feel slightly exhausted. Well her feet were the only ones hurting, if need be, she'd willingly walk on her two arms. Much of the city was left unexplored and she had some energy left to spare. So, why not? Slowly exiting from the crowd, Kai had explored deeper into the city, still buzzing with the earlier excitement. The sights had been wonderful; she was in awe for the architecture of each building and temple. Too awestruck that she'd gotten careless, letting herself take a few detours here and there. It hadn't dawned to her that she had wandered into an unsafe territory, until the sight of a few sketchy buildings and scraggly men and women. Kai's first thought was to lay low, and stay unnoticed. They weren't gonna bother her if she didn't garner attention to herself, right? She prayed to the gods that she was right and that she may get out of this alive.

 

[Eagershadow3]

Ryan wandered the streets of tge capital. This time of year was his favorite, a good party after all the hard work as a champion. It was a time that Ryan could relax and have fun. He had spent most of his day wandering around the streets and participating on activities, flirting (his handsomeness even rivaled the aphrodite champions), and many other festival related things.


Ryan had wandered into the bad part of town, but that didn't bother him. Sumarbrander hung low on his belt, it gave off a warm glow, and made the air around it warm, just like a summer day. Every plant he passed made it look healthier, and more beautiful. Some even went into full bloom.

 

[TheLoneRook]

Rook was always fond of the Crow District. It reminded him of home, filled with merchants selling things no one had ever heard of and happy faces that hid dark intentions. His home wasn't exactly a peaceful and kindhearted place either, but it was home nonetheless. His favorite fruit vendor had "rare african pineapples" today, which were actually just dragonfruit, but then again this was the same vendor that tried to sell a pear off as an ancient apple that cured stomachache. To someone who'd been raised by good-natured and wholesome people, this place was terrifying and mysterious. Rook however, was almost native here. The con artists left him be because they knew he was aware of all of their tricks. The criminals left him alone because he lit up the first one that tried to play him for a fool. He had effectively assimilated himself. People knew his name. It was almost like a home away from home, if anything.


He tossed away the core of his treat for the day as he noticed a figure in the distance. Rook was considered a shining beacon by most, but this man was noticeable for the exact opposite reason. He seemed to be so naturally concealed that he almost stood out. Ancient intuition suggested he was probably more than your average traveler. He crossed his arms and squinted, trying to get a better look at the stranger before a man in some sort of hurry bumped past him with an odd amount of force. It wasn't very hard to feel the grazing hand slipping across his belt to snatch at the amulet wrapped around his waist. "Amateur..." Rook muttered.


Flames that burned a shining white licked off of his chest and the crowd went quiet for a moment. The oh so clever thief was momentarily blinded and tripped with a well placed foot in front of his path. Rook's amulet fell from the man's hand and rolled across the road before spinning to a stop. The thief pulled himself to his feet and fled as Rook sighed, retrieving his little trinket and returning it to his waist. When he looked back up everyone was still staring at him, some looked a bit shocked.


He then realized that whitefire was still shooting out of the many vents on his armor. Embarrassed, he quickly doused the flames and coughed out an apology. He was never very good at hiding the whole "disciple of a god" thing.

 

[Fabian Gaurd]

(I was going to wait for everyone to post but i'm far too eager to wait)


Fabian walked into a smaller shop named The Thorn, that had many plants and statues on display. It was a dark place, and smelled earthy but also almost vinegary as well. Fabian had been to this place on many occasions. Often to pick up various poisons and potions for his previous line of work, and had befriended the unique owner of The Thorn quite some time ago.


"Rose, come out. I must make this quick. It may appear suspicious if I arrive late to the Pantheon." Fabian said with his voice slightly raised. Beckoning his call a tall woman with a green dress that hugged her appeared from the backroom of the shop. Her eyes were very sharp and were as green as the dress she wore. She smiled sweetly at him and spoke with a voice that sounded almost like a hiss.


"Fabian, its been too long, I would have hoped to have not seen you again after you declared you were quitting your career. Has Loki convinced you to come back to your old way of life?"


"Never. I need something special. I need Venus root."


"Ohhhhh my... planning to interrogate someone? The other champions don't trust you as it is, bringing something potent enough to make even a demi god forcibly tell the truth would look... quite suspicious. Unless of course, your intention is to make a champion tell all their dirty secrets... but that's not you anymore, is it?" Rose said with a smirk, almost as if she was enjoying the prospect of Fabian deceiving and making insidious plans. She went into the back of the shop briefly and emerged with a small cloth wrapping.


Fabian smiled as he gave her some coin and took the wrapped item. "It is honestly just in case something interesting happens. Just precautionary. Good day, Rose." He said as he swiftly left the store. He began to think about how the party would go. Most years he spent it in the corner with Rex, the champion of Nox. He understood the world in a way most others didn't. He didn't view Fabian the same way the others did. Nobody trusted him once they figured out who he was, and the veterans whom knew some of his past endeavors not only didn't trust him but often didn't allow him within ten feet of them.


As he was walking towards the exit to the crow district, he saw a woman whom appeared very out of place. It appeared as if she was trying to lay low, but unless one is familiar with these environments, they stuck out like a sore thumb. Many perceived it as naivety, something that these people would easily try to exploit. He approached her calmly asked, "Ma'm, you appear lost, may I escort you to your destination?" Fabian nearly cursed himself. With his attire and lack of showing his face he certainly appeared just as sinister as the rest of these goons. He hoped she would accept his offer calmly so that he could get her out of here.


@fushiis

 

[Eagershadow3]

"Ryan get back here!" A female voice called from behind Ryan. He turned around to see one of the saints from the freyr temple, Alexis. "Oh, Alexis wonderful day we are having," he said bright and cheerfully. "Cut the crap, you need to get to the pantheon." She said in an angry tone. Clearly annoyed at Ryans actions. He opined his mouth to say something, but he was cut off by Alexis grabbing his hand and dragging him off into the direction of the Pantheon. "You don't understand how important you are," she continued. Alexis seemed to always be angry with Ryan, he never fully understands his importance as a champion. "Freyr is an important god, so you have to act more mature," he finished. Ryan didn't say anything back, he knew it was useless. Alexis never let him win an argument.

 

[fushiis]

Stay calm and look normal even if you're not a shady person, Kai thinks to herself. Repeating the sentence in her head like a mantra. Perhaps by a stroke of luck she might be able to trick her mind into thinking that she was some sort of criminal and wouldn't look so out of place. But the chances of that happening were zero, while the chances that she'd probably get assaulted was a hundred and ten. Suddenly it seemed like her jacket wasn't enough to conceal her identity. She could've sworn that people had started taking notice of her presence. Shaking off all her paranoid thoughts away, Kai walked at a much faster pace. She had to get out of this place as soon as possible.


In her haste, she almost jumped in surprise when a man had approached her. "Ma'am, you appear lost, may I escort you to your destination?" He asked calmly. The said man looked to be just as suspicious like any other person in the district, really. Kai was torn between either running for her dear life, or to trust him. She weighed the possibilities, in any case that he'd try to harm her, she could scare him off by drawing out all her three swords. He didn't sound like he was plotting anything sinister anyway. She opts to choose the latter option, and once again prays she made the right decision.


"Just get me out of here. Please." Kai utters quietly.

 

[Fabian Gaurd]

Fabian nodded at the woman and took her hand. She had somehow managed to wander into the market street of the crow district, and many men were leering and shouting at them to come buy their wares. After a short while they emerged at the exit to the crow district, and Fabian near ran to the main road to the Pantheon. Once they had reached their destination he looked over to the woman to see how she was holding up. She had a few strands of white hair sticking out from under her hood, not a very common hair color for these parts. "Possibly a visitor to the capital? Lots of people do come this time of year to sell their wares and party with the champions." It suddenly occurred to Fabian that she may even be a saint or champion, however if that were the case he may have torn her honor by assuming she couldn't take care of herself.


"Whats your name? I'm Fabian." Gods he hoped she hadn't heard the stories of him. Perhaps he should have given a fake name.

 

[fushiis]

Kai nods, following him closely from behind. If someone attacks, run. The shouts and leers of men had all been muted out, she was too terrified to process anything the entire time. Kai swore she felt her legs almost give out the moment they finally reached the exit. She breathed a huge sigh of relief, pulling down her hood to reveal messy white hair. It was tousled from all the walking and running she's done earlier. It takes her a few minutes to calm herself and tame her unruly hair.


"The name's Kai. Hi." She replies "You saved me back there, thanks." If anything, she was glad he didn't pull any pranks on her. Or brought her to a place that was even more dangerous than Crow District. The man, Fabian, wasn't a crook after all. What if he hadn't offered to help her? Kai shuddered at all the possible situations she could've landed herself in. It was about time that she make her way to the pantheon. Her little detour had worn her out, and wasted quite some time. By now, she guessed that the other champions have already arrived, and they were impatiently waiting for her. "Well, I'd best be on my way now. The pantheon's calling for me."

 

[Fabian Gaurd]

Fabian raised his eyebrow. Perhaps his suspicions had been true, however she did not appear insulted by his assistance, and furthermore had revealed herself to him. He figured that he should offer her the same courtesy. He removed his hood revealing medium-long dirty brown hair. His eyes were as pale as Ice and his skin fair. He had small bags under his eyes from stress and not sleeping. At the base of his neck along the collarbone there was a branding mark in the form of a serpent, with a crow attacking it. The girl was beautiful, and in comparison he felt very shabby. "The Pantheon? Are you a champion?" He asked.

 

[fushiis]

She looked at Fabian, wondering if it was okay to tell him. He already knows her name and face, revealing that she's a champion wouldn't shock him, right? He technically saved her life earlier, anyway. The information isn't top-secret anyway, she figured. No harm in telling anyone. "Well, yeah, I'm a champion. Though it's so not obvious." Kai smiles sheepishly. She's always neglected her responsibilities as a champion. Spending her time exploring rather than honing the god-given abilities she has despite the fact she's always had a natural talent for combat.

 

[Fabian Gaurd]

Fabian looked at Kai with a small smile. "Awesome, me too. I'm the champion of... well actually you first, you intrigue me." He said as he smiled sheepishly. Kai would certainly run if she knew whom he was. Its not that he was meaning to flirt or flatter with her but one of the skills he had learned in his old work was that people became more comfortable if you show interest in them. This was a slightly sticky situation. It was entirely possible that she had yet to hear the tales, but he wasn't taking that chance. If she were a champion of one of the northern gods(norse) his identity being revealed would certainly incite her wrath.

 

[fushiis]

"Oh so you too- wait, what?" Kai blinks once, twice, thinking that maybe she heard it wrong. Fabian...was a champion too. To think she was worried about whether he was some sort of criminal or not. She couldn't help but laugh at her stupidity. In a matter of seconds Kai had already shrunk to the ground, laughing loudly. He was indeed someone she could trust, after all. All her unnecessary worrying turned out to be completely useless in the end. It takes her some time to calm herself, stand back up and formally introduce herself. "I'm the champion of Poseidon, that greek god who lives under the sea." She answers, shrugging.