Divine Inheritance: Chaos

As the trio entered the city of Mira Jaxx wondered what to do next. It didn't seem right to leave her recently met travel companions behind so quickly. She noticed they both, especially the young girl, seemed tired from their long journey. Also considering her own quest, she knew she would need to find information. This was the last place the Titan of the Arena had been seen in years. She also knew it was likely Lilith would have passed through Mira at least. Her best luck at finding clues to finding either of these people was at some public place, more likely one that would be visited by travellers like Lilith.
Considering all of these things, the best option of a destination would be a local inn. The streets were crowded and loud, full of gladiator fans, tavern goers, and merchants. The people varied in color, size, dress, and wealth. It was much different from Sax which was mostly full of poor, few rich, and mostly people who worked for her father and the empire. Here, the streets were alive and mostly joyous.
JaXx had to speak somewhat louder than before as she suggested the idea of an inn to Gerik and Claire. The three of them made their way in that direction as she studied the area carefully for any sign of her objective or of trouble. It seemed obvious that she would be able to pick out a 15 ft tall woman in the crowd but you can never be too careful. Besides if she has already managed to gain allies to attack, JaXx would not know them until it was too late.
She mostly looked over and ignored the merchants as they passed their many carts.
It didn't take long before she managed to find an inn and led the way toward it. As they entered, JaXx could already tell it had recently seen some excitement. The barmaid seemed flustered as she spoke with a merchant who seemed to be selling ale. There were few people in the area.
She turned to Gerik, "this city is much different than I expected. And an inn with a bar hardly seems suitable for your companion." She obviously was referring to Claire. "Though considering the atmosphere here I'm not sure we will be able to find much different." She said it apologetically as she could have though it still sounded more like a casual statement. Realizing she hadn't yet introduced herself she suddenly felt rude.

 

Jaxx considered this, knowing technically she was supposed to be taking this on alone. However she was fairly sure it only meant she was not permitted to bring soldiers or her bodyguard. Accepting help from a stranger for a while was never forbidden. "I won't reject your offer if you wish to help. But should you decide to, there are some things you should know once you've taken care of her of course."
She parted with Gerik then, allowing him time alone with Claire to get her settled.
She walked over to the bar, knowing if anyone noticed a strange individual or at least heard rumors it would be the barmaid.
She stood there resting her hands on the counter somewhat casually until the barmaid had a moment to notice her.
"Ey miss. You look a little young to be interested in ordering a drink from me." She had started to scold, reminding Jaxx how easy it was to assume she was younger even than her age of 16. It annoyed her slightly though she ignored the comment, cutting off the woman's chastisement "Fear not. I am not here for drink. Only for news." She said hastily deciding not to argue about age with her.
The woman scoffed, crossing her arms "Who doesn't? But ok girl I'll humor you. What information do you seek?"
"I am looking for two people. One, a man who goes by the name Titan of the Arena. I hear he once competed in this city. The other may be less likely for you to know of. A woman, giant in size. She would probably have drawn some attention to herself with bold statements about the empire or her indntity..."
JaXx didn't even have to finish before the barmaid was laughing "Seems my bar is the attraction for strangeness today. Yes I have seen the giantess claiming to be Lilith Newgate. One of her companions caused quite a stir earlier. The other was polite enough for the both them though, plenty handsome as well." She laughed slightly though Jaxx raised a brow slightly surprised. Had lilith really found multiple allies so quickly? She knew, given her condition Lilith would eventually have to seek help. But it had only been a month since she had escaped.
The barmaid continued, unphased by Jaxx's lack of reaction "Funny enough the girl you're looking for also came asking about the Titan. At that time, I had no information for her. However it seems someone did. Apparently there have been rumors of him having recently returned to Mira in search of something. Your friend ran off south of the city hoping to catch him. What are you two fans or some thing?"
JaXx smiled slightly "some thing like that." She said simply "thank you you've been very helpful."
She stepped away from the counter, knowing she would have to hurry if she intend to catch up to Lilith however the prospect of at least two allies with her didn't sound promising on her own. Still, if anything it would only make the fight slightly more challenging. She remembered Gerik offering help but dismissed the idea. It was one thing to help a stranger find information. To ask him to help with something like this, especially when he had that little girl counting on him, was something she couldn't in good conscience ask him to do.

 

Jaxx had just stepped away from the counter and toward the door when Gerik rejoined her. She nodded her head once as she spoke "She was seen here moments ago it seems she was headed south. I am going to go after her." She took on a slightly more serious tone "To tell you the truth, I'm here searching for this woman at the request of my father, the emperor. She is a dangerous runaway from his prison and it sounds like she has found allies since her escape. I appreciate your company and offer of help. But considering you have a child counting on you, I can not ask you to assist me past this point." She spoke sincerely. Since having left her home she hadn't taken the time to converse with anyone. It had been nice to distract herself somewhat from her quest for a moment.

------------------

The castle of Sax was quite large. It had many hidden passegways that Atticus had spent a lot of time exploring in his youth many years ago when the building was much newer. These passageways housed a number of rooms which were built for a wide variety of reasons. The most important one of these secret rooms was one that was originally meant to be a "safe room" of sorts in the case of the castle being invaded. The younger members of the Emperors family would have been hidden there in this case. It had a large stone door with no outside handle originally and could easily blend into the wall, completely invisible to one who did not know where it was. It was long forgotten since it was built along with the other secrets of the castle.
After atticus took power this particular room had been given a new purpose. Sealed with magic by attucus personally, he was the only person capable of opening it. He trusted only his strongest and most loyal guards to watch thevery entire passage around the room day and night. No one else, not even Jaxx or Lucius, was allowed to know of its existence. This was because it was now used to hold something very dangerous.
Atticus stood outside the door to this very room, signaling to the guards on either side to keep their weapons drawn. They both quickly and silently drew their projectile weapons and pointed them toward the closed door as Atticus stepped forward and placing his hand against it, only then was it's outline visible against the rest of the stone wall thin currents of visible electricity made their way from his palm and outward before connecting with the edges of the opening. This temporarily illuminated the frame become the large rectangular stone slap swung outward with a soft rumbling noise. It only moved enough for Atticus to fit inside. Atticus saw nothing within the room as it was pitch black. One would first assume it was simply dark in there. However Atticus new differently. The blackness inside was not a result of Shadow, it was more than that, the very air inside this room had been transformed by what rested inside. A thick, dark, smoke like mist escaped slowly from the inside against the walls and floor.
Atticus was quick to step in trough the opening between the armed guards before the door closed behind him sealing itself once again.

 

Jaxx seriously considered refusing his offer again but knew she was in no position to do so. She couldn't do much for the kingdom dead, which is very well how she could end up if she wasn't careful.
He seemed like a good person, and more than likely very capable of taking care of himself. And she did need the help. Coming to a devision she nodded "Very well. And thank you. But if anything happens to me, you don't hold back. Get out if there." This sounded more like an order than a request, she spoke the same as she would have to a soldier in her father's army. It wasn't meant to be impersonal. She just wanted to reinforce she was serious about it.
She found herself strangely caring about him and Claire and wouldnt want to see them hurt for having coming in contact with her.
With that she took off out the door and through the streets the same way they had come before. It didn't take long to get out of the city, or to spot lilith in the distance once there.
The giant woman seemed to have grown some even since leaving the prison. It was easy to see her large frame even from this far away. Though, Jaxx did notice she was still not fully recovered as they drew nearer.
But that wasn't the only thing she noticed. Lilith was surrounded by three other people. One of them she remembered passing earlier. Could this be the man she was looking for or is she simply asking for directions?
She turned her attention to the other two, evaluating the situation before charging in, as Raven had drilled into her head many times before.
Slowing slightly and finding a more inconspicuous direction from which to approach while still studying her targets she first took in the appearance of the one nearest to her. Great another giant she thought to herself. The man wore full body armor and was almost as tall as Lilith.... or at least tall enough to tower over the other two. His height was enough for her to assume he was a demigod most likely, definitely not full human whatever he was.
The third man caught Jaxx off guard. She had seen him before though she wasn't sure where. Of the group, he definitely stood out in his own way. There was something misleading about his appearance. His presence had a much darker feel than he appeared to be. It led her to believe he was probably a demigod too.
She could see Gerik next to her from her peripheral vision and could only assume he was making his own observations of the group.
Because she saw the man by the tree earlier, she knew he was not a regular member of Liliths party. Part of her kind of wanted to hang back until they parted ways in case he was simply a traveller. But reasoned, if he was innocent he would probably depart pretty quickly should things go south anyway.
On the chance that he was the person Lilith had set out to find, judging by what she had heard in the bar, he was her target too.
This would not be easy especially considering Geriks safety. However she knew Lilith was still probably weak from her imprisonment. Her two companions would most likely step forward in her defense in that case. They would have to be eliminated first if not somehow separated from her.
The mysterious man was more difficult to plan for. Best case scenario would be he was just an innocent traveller and would run away when trouble hit.
As they got close though to overhear what was being said, she finally straightened herself approaching the group.
As the man with black hair drew his sword, she heard him speak "This is a regular sword. Meant for regular fighting."
She smiled slightly, speaking up and interrupting the conversation. She stood a short, although strategically safe distance away from the group. Taking after the woman who trained her, she kept a stance that could have been seen as casual, though her hand was placed specifically on her hip nearest her sword in case of the need for it. "I certainly hope not. In this world of monsters and demigods, regular fighting will put you at a disadvantage."
She turned her attention to Lilith, taking in her appearance. She was still in bad shape... but she couldn't let her go again. There was no choice.

 

As Kable addressed her, JaXx remembered where she had seen him. He had once been in the military. Though she hadn't ever fought with him directly, she knew he left years ago
"Princess, hardly. No more than Lilith here at least, ex soldier. Kable was it?" She acknowledged his raised sword but remained calm for the moment "To answer your question the best way you and your friend can help me is to step aside. I've come here for Lilith Newgate. There is no need for me to have to kill you too."
She spoke as Lilith stepped forward and couldn't help but respect her bravery, foolish as she may be, as she listened to her speak politely. "Yes, you do look unwell. Did I not warn you to rest yourself while you had the chance? Understand I can not spare you again this time." As Lilith raised her own weapon against her, JaXx finally reached for her own and took a defensive stance. As usual, allowing Lilith to make the first move.