With my Shield, or On it. Chapter 3: The Acolyte.

 With my Shield, or On it.

Chapter 3: The acolyte.
A Hades Calculus Fan Fiction (Part of the Gunmetal Olympus Series)

Written by: Ciara RayneCloud

Gunmetal Olympus and Hades Calculus are the sole property of Benjanun Sriduangkaew and Devi Lacroix. All rights reserved to the original authors. Characters and Places used in this work of Fan Fiction are solely the property of their creators. Please support the official work here: Hades Calculus

This story takes place near the end of the first book and continues after it!
There are spoilers ahead!

Characters present through out the story,

Ares, Lord of War
Hippolyta, Champion of War, Pilot of xer Eidolon, Penthesilea
Mada, Acolyte of Hades, Lord of the Machine Dead.
Hades, Lord of the Underworld, Lord of the Machine Dead

Hippolyta

The warmth of the near midday sun on my face is something I take time to revel in. I close my eyes and let it wash over me for several moments, my own little worship and thanks to the Lord Dionysus I would not be standing here to do this were it not for her Paralos. I exhale deeply and zip up my riding suit, ensuring my home is locked up fully, not that I need to worry about such things in Elysium, none would dare, but it's habit. I like to ensure my space is my own when I can.

One last check over as I put my glasses on, deep obsidian black mirror shades. I prefer this to a riding helmet on a day like today, it's cool enough and the breeze is wonderful against what skin I have bared. I Straddle my bike raising the kickstand and letting it rest under me. One more deep inhale and exhale as I lean backwards. The sun and the breeze bring a light tear to my eyes as I look up at the clouds, "The rains have ceased my love, and we have been blessed by another beautiful day. But you are not here to see it..." I lean forward again grabbing the throttle and steeling myself for the day ahead. I hope my love of riding, the renewed healing that is beginning to build up in me sparked on by my Lords words, will be enough to hold me through whatever may come.

***

I expect my ride to the nearest Temple of Hades to be an eventful one, Herakles and I were the /Celebrity Couple/ after all. The placing of ey and I both on that pedestal was always something I distasted. I understand it though, I am seen as a beacon of hope for all the citizens, something they could all aspire to and dream of becoming. As was my wife...

It shocks me somewhat, even though it shouldn't, that the truth is quite the opposite of what I expected. The Champion of War out on her cerulean and obsidian colored motorcycle, clad in a matching body suit and wearing a jacket with the symbol of her lord emblazoned upon it, does draw eyes. Things are different though, the trappings of my pedestal have changed, drastically. I should have expected this, to see the wide births, the gentle waves, the bows, the tears, the flowers and wreaths thrown at my passing.

They are all mourning my wife with me, and showing it to me. None of these people have seen or heard from their beloved Champion of War since the battle and no doubt this is why Ares beseeches me to go out.

Ares was right. I exhale and adjust my glasses, giving some of the citizens light waves as I ride by. Some of them tear up more, others smile and show some small measure of joy at my acknowledgement.

I need this, and it reminds me that I love these people, deeply and truly. This is my duty, the people need me, they need to /see/ me. They have already seen the destruction of a banner class Eidolon and the fall of a beloved champion at the hands of a Colossi of unimageable power. My presence brings them hope and I am all the more gladdened for it.

***

I don't remember the last time I visited one of Lord Hade's temples, or any of the other temples for that matter. I've always offered up my prayer's in my own ways to the gods, and this, this is a new experience for me. I let out another deep exhale as I park my bike, leaning back to take my glasses off and set them in my jacket. I take a few moments to give the temple a good solid look over as I try to steel myself before dismounting. Once on my feet I begin my trek up the stairs and towards the temple entrance noticing the hushed whispers and shocked eyes that follow my movements. I am given a wide berth while some offer their condolences, "We're so very sorry for your loss Lady Hippolyta" one young woman says, trying to force a smile.

"Thank you." 

That thank you and a fake smile are all I have to give her in return for her bravery and kindness in bothering to engage with me at all. I would offer more if I had it, but for now, I have to move forward for me.

***

My boots echo throughout the main hall of the temple of the Lord of The Machine dead, footfalls that signal the Champion of War has entered, it is an auspicious occasion I imagine. They're not used to having me here after all, and obviously so. As is evidenced by an older woman rushing to greet me, stopping me in my tracks as several other young acolytes shyly hide near pillars. One of them stands out to me as this senior priestess introduces herself, she says her name is Daphne.

"My lady, it is such an honor to greet you in the temple of our Lord Hades" the words she speaks raise the hair on the back of my neck, she perturbs me. It's now what she says, but how she says it. The tone in her voice betrays something to me as I take my eyes off the young woman near by that has been recalled in memory. This one though, this Daphne, fancies herself powerful and enjoys holding it over others. I can feel it, and it is something I thought we had long since eradicated in Elysium, but these are troubling times indeed.

I turn to face this Daphne front on, locking my eyes with her. "Thank you for the welcome Priestess Daphne, I have come to seek aide in and counsel in my time of need."

I turn to face the other woman whose standing near by. I’ve seen her before. briefly, when Persephone and I were out shopping. I remember it now, spotting her with another young woman their hands locked together, standing awkwardly on the street as we passed by. She was hard not to notice, not with that fiery red hair. There was a brief, fleeting moment when our eyes met. She looked up, and I caught a glimpse of something fragile in her—a sincerity that seemed almost out of place amid the bustling crowd. I dismissed her out of hand at the time, preoccupied with our own concerns, but now that moment feels more significant.

"Oh, just so My Lady" a slight pause as Daphne turns to see where my gaze has wandered off to. No doubt very obviously noticing I'm not maintaining eye contact with her anymore. "Perhaps I can..."

"I wish to be tended to by her," I say, pointing to the sunlight haired acolyte with a single outstretched finger. I have no desire to play any of the ritual games.

The head priestess’s eyes narrow with a flicker of jealousy, her mouth twisting into a tight, disapproving line. I knew it, she, my instincts were correct. She fancies herself a woman of power, and I decide in that moment that I will dissuade her of that notion. "Mada?" she asks, her voice laced with disbelief. "She's just a novice, inexperienced in matters of aide and counsel my Lady."

My voice hardens, edged with the sharpness of my own despair and honed with my annoyance, "That is precisely why I ask for her. Grief is raw and untamed. It does not need experience; it needs understanding. She will do."

The head priestess’s expression darkens further, her eyes flashing with irritation. "Perhaps one of the more senior priestesses—"

I cut her off, frustration lacing my tone,  "No. I want her. I do not need formality or distance. I need someone who isn't accustomed to easing the pain of others with the insults of empty words."

The head priestess’s face flushes with indignation, her pride clearly wounded. I have succeeded for the moment, but I imagine I may have caused some grief in a desire to seek out support for my own. Daphne waves Mada over with a sharp, dismissive motion, the sight of it makes me grit my teeth with anger. The young acolyte’s eyes widen with surprise and uncertainty as her name is called, her hands are trembling. Another sight I find reason to glower at Daphne over, and as is my desire, that glower is noticed, it unnerves her.

"Muh.. me?" Mada's words are stammered out as she points a finger at her own sternum. I give her a longer more decerning once over. She's taller than me, and just as pretty, that sun touched autumnal hair of hers sets quite a paradoxical dichotomy with the rest of this young woman's personality. I am fearful she has not been treated well, and I make the decision in this moment that I will remove her from this place. We'll go somewhere else and she can be the stranger I need, the help I need, someone I can sense with every fiber of my being is truly kind, and full of compassion.

"Yes, Mada, for gods sakes hurry up Child!" Daphne snaps, startling Mada causing her to shuffle over rapidly. She's trembling more now than before and I have decided I have had enough of this. I may have misjudged this Daphne, but this, this treatment will not do and Mada is well within arms reach now. This closely, I can see it in her eyes. I can feel it.

She needs me just as much as I need her. I have made the right call.

My gaze returns to being affixed upon Daphne, "I am taking her out, with me." I am not in the mood to make requests, it has been soured to such a point I make this statement of fact, one that Daphne seems incredibly perturbed by. The look on her face is something I find golden, and I revel in it drawing a grin on my lips in reply to the look of complete disbelief she gives me.

"You're what?" she bleats out like a loud speaker to all with in hearing range. Startling multiple temple goers, and acolytes alike. "That is highly-"

I step forward, raising my finger and placing it on her lips to silence her, if my eyes were lasers I would burn the soul out of her. "Don't" I say, the rage in my eyes and the venom laced in my voice should be clear as crystal even to the densest among us in Elysium. "Just, don't." I reach out to grab Mada's hand with my other, it's good that she shuffled so closely when she was called over.

"I have seen how you treat this girl Daphne, and I will not abide it. I am taking her with me, to provide me with counsel and I will return her to you when I am good and gods damn ready. If you have a complaint, lodge it with Lord Hades or Lord Ares." I walk off dragging Mada in tow, she's utterly shocked by what just happened. I half expect her to resist, to plead with me, but she doesn't. She is no doubt entirely overwhelmed by what just transpired. Her hand still in mine as I storm off.

Good. Mada will know what kindness is, and I'll have someone truly detached to confide in and trust with all of my pain. Perhaps we'll grow to become friends and perhaps, I will have a chance to put this Daphne in her place and educate her properly on how to treat her wards.

With this whole scene I've made all but finished, I make my way for the temple entrance, my startled acolyte and counsel in tow. I imagine it all the more hilarious to on lookers that Mada is taller than I am, no doubt we cut quite the picture. Me, the little ball of fury dragging behind me this nervous mess of young woman.

I stop for a moment, Mada is still incredibly flustered by the looks, she has yet to protest any of this. I shoot her a smile, one of the only truly warm smiles anyone has gotten from me in days, before I tilt my head back to Daphne, "My lord is in Occultation however, so I imagine your complaints will take some time to reach xer. I imagine Lord Hades is as well, all the best of luck to you!" 

Before Daphne can protest further, I place my hand on the doorway and we depart. Anyone that could see my face now would see me grinning from ear to ear, I am proud of myself. Maybe, that will change though, when Lord Hades hears I insulted one of her most senior's integrity and stole an acolyte from her Temple.

Well, no matter, I've always wanted to meet the Lord of the Machine Dead more personally anyway. This will be as good a reason as any.