Scion – TEGHD Campaign – Guest Appearance
This account was originally found on Livejournal, I am not the original author—I am just a fan of the journal and have found reading it on livejournal clunky to navigate and rife with errors/instability (such as having to refresh multiple times due to the page in questions becoming unavailable often requiring multiple refreshes. The original post can be found here, published by DJ-Yomi, and was published on Dec 4th 2008
These events here take place after the defeat of Daitokuji but before we headed off the Caribbean to help out Pierre and Elisa. It deals with another group of up-and-coming scions!
I’m writing from Yomi right now. Of course, by the time I post this, I’ll be back on Red Mountain, safe and sound, but I’m hanging around in my mother’s palace for the next few days, partly to take care of a few things. But I’m also sticking around to see how a band of young scions I just met fare in their foray into the Poison Sun Ward. I have confidence that they’ll be fine, but I’m still worried.
I guess I should back up a bit. See, a few days ago, I got a letter from Bast. I thought it might be about my friends Maneki or Carina, but not so. Instead, it was about the young group of scions that Ray, Pierre, and Cesar once worked with, and specifically Bast’s daughter Cathy Kemen. Cathy’s soul has essentially been fragmented, and part of it resides in the body of the group’s greatest nemesis, who is about to serve as the vessel through which the titan Apophis will enter the world. Stopping Apophis’ coming would be a simple matter of killing Cathy (and thus her opposite, a young woman named Tess)…but, understandably, Bast would prefer that Cathy remain alive and well. So Cathy’s friends are seeking other options, namely reuniting the pieces of Cathy’s soul in a way that will leave the “brighter”side dominant and thus prevent Apophis’ birth. Bast thought T-Bone might have access to a ritual that would let them do just that.
The kicker is that in order to guarantee that the Cathy side is dominant when the two are combined, both Cathy and Tess have to be in a pretty positive state of mind when the ritual happens. And the only thing that both Cathy and Tess have positive feelings toward is my half-sister, Miyako Yajima (whom I only met recently myself), who is a close friend of both. Miyako, of course, is cloistered in Yomi with mom.
I gotta tell ya, this light-side/dark-side duality thing is right up my alley. ^_^ So naturally, when Bast’s letter asked me to act as a guide and guardian for Cathy and her friends, I was more than happy to comply. So T-Bone, Pierre and I got in touch and decided to help out. Cathy and her friends are on the cusp of becoming demigods, so stopping the advent of Apophis had to be their fate, not ours, but a little friendly guidance couldn’t hurt. ^_^
Pierre has an almost parental sense of responsibility toward Cathy and her friends, so he was more than happy to act as a guide using his spirit lamp power. Speaking of which, I totally need to get that power myself soon now that I have my sexy black tie relic. Anyway, while Pierre acted as the spirit guide, I would be the local expert on Yomi, someone who could warn Cathy and her group about the dangers they’d face there and help them find their way from the main entrance to Yomi in Izumo all the way to Yellow Spring Mountain to meet my mother. T-Bone decided to stay in the World and await their return, at which point he’ll help guide them in the ritual to reunite Cathy with her missing shadow.
T-Bone set things up for us, and once he’d helped steer Cathy and her group in the right direction, Pierre and I made a flashy entrance. As usual, I couldn’t resist showing off the full measure of my divine beauty to make a jaw-dropping first impression, and it paid off…maybe a little too much. I wore the black pleated leather mini skirt with the fishnet top and lacy pushup bra…it’s one of the outfits that Anna asks to borrow from time to time, and it is to die for! ^___^
Anyway, I really liked most members of Cathy’s group (I think the others refer to them as the Haven scions since they are all associated with the University of Illinois at Haven). Of course there’s Cathy. She and I have some things in common. She’s bright, charismatic, perky, and beautiful. Of course, none of that is tempered by a darker side, so I think she comes across as a bit too bright and perky sometimes… I guess I kinda understand where Miyako’s coming from to some degree. Even so, hopefully she’ll be more complete (dark side and all) once they’ve reunited her with her shadow.
As an aside, by the time we parted ways it was obvious that Cathy (who is also bisexual) was enamored of me. She’s apparently decided that she I are going to have to have a rendezvous (possibly with her girlfriend Rowena and my wife Echo) some time. *sigh* I hate to disappoint her, but I take such things very seriously, and have no intention of sleeping with her. My relationship with Echo is very precious to me (^_^), and what relationships she and I might share with others (like Tabby) are very special, especially now that I know how much some of my past indiscretions hurt Echo. I don’t have “flings”…which seems to be what Cathy’s interested in right now.
Anyway, moving on. The oldest member of the group is certainly not the wisest. In fact, the words uncouth, tactless, and imbecile come to mind when thinking about Brent Dankmeyer, British scion of Loki, who is somehow involved in the university administration. Look, I know I’m irresistible and I tend to make people do things they wouldn’t normally, but as soon as he met me, Brent walked up and grabbed my breasts. (O_O) I was stunned…then I calmly and gently removed his perverted hands from my person, at which point Tabby choke-slammed him to the ground and threatened to tear his throat out if he so much as gestured in my direction again. I called Tabby off quickly—though not before assuring Brent that she wasn’t bluffing. The rest of Cathy’s group didn’t seem surprised by Brent’s behavior nor upset by Tabby’s response (though I’m sure they would have been upset had they really believed I’d let her kill him), so while I’d like to chalk his behavior up to a fluke, I doubt it was. >_< In fact, he remained a hopeless, inconsiderate, vulgar idiot throughout the time I was with the group, producing only a few thin needles of wisdom from the haystack of offensive and brainless nonsense he spouted. I’m surprised Miyako didn’t mention him when I spoke with her, but if my understanding of how she thinks is accurate, she probably considered him beneath mentioning.
Anyway, enough about that. >_<
I got along famously with Alexandra Kanakarades, Cathy’s sorority sister and scion of Artemis. While I did sense some underlying similarities between Alexandra and Anna, they are actually extremely different. Alexandra seems intelligent, perceptive, and focused, but also caring in her way. We actually got along very well, and I had loads of fun showing her the adorable pictures I took of Pierre in the Nemean bear suit. Unfortunately it seems like she and Miyako dislike each other intensely…which is unfortunate, but I have a feeling Miyako’s as much to blame for that as Alexandra is. If I ever have the pleasure of interacting with both of the at the same time, maybe I can do a little mediating. ^_^
Dr. Wendel Gladheim is an instructor at the university and a son of Odin. He’s very handsome and, from what I gather, very intelligent. We didn’t really talk very much, but I could tell that he had a sort of fatherly outlook toward the rest of the group. And I might have just been imagining it, but I detected a hint of arrogance in his manner as well… In any event, I asked him about his opinions on Odin because I was curious if Adam’s attitude toward his father is shared by Odin’s other children, but Dr. Gladheim seemed relatively comfortable with the encounters he’d had with his father.
T.S. Wainwright (no, I didn’t find out what T.S. stands for) is a university football player and son of Hephaestus. With his rugged good looks and down-to-earth manner, he actually reminded me a lot of Jacob, though I can’t place my finger on why. He was definitely one of the heavies in the group’s combat line-up, but I got the impression he was more well-rounded than first impressions would lead one to believe. Maybe that’s why he reminds me of Jacob. Besides, I can’t help but like him because he’s more or less Brent’s handler, and that man needs someone to keep him under control.
Maria Gonzalez is a daughter of Hermes. I liked her a lot as well. She’s also one of the group’s most effective combatants and can come across as pretty hard core, but after talking to her for only a short time I realized she’s actually very friendly. I think I detected a hint of insecurity in her manner, which might explain the tough front she seems to put up in many situations. It turns out we share some interest in traveling the Underworld (she’s becoming a psychopomp much like my half-sister), and I was pleased when Pierre bequeathed a spirit lantern to her. I also couldn’t help but notice that she’s pregnant. ^_^ Not showing yet, but of course I can tell these things thanks to my power over health. Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to ask her about it, which is really unfortunate since I’m in baby-mode what with Echo nearing her due date. ^_^
Last but not least, there was Hector Vasquez, a scion of Xipe Totec. He’s a lot less psychotic than the other Atzlanti scions I’ve met, which was a refreshing change of pace. From what I gather, he’s normally one of the brains of the Haven group and something of a big brother to them all. But for the duration of the trip, he was quiet and distant, like he was high or something. Actually, that’s more or less exactly what was going on (again, my mastery of health showed me that much), though it wasn’t a recreational high. He was apparently trying to process beneficial medicines in his own body to make them strong enough to affect scions…or something. I don’t really understand what he was trying to accomplish, but then again, he wasn’t really in a good state to explain it to me.
So that’s the Haven group. I generally liked them all quite a lot, though I don’t understand how anyone could work with Brent for any length of time. If he were working with my group, I’m pretty sure he’d be dead by now. Either Anna or Elisa would have killed him.
Once introductions had been made and plans laid, we boarded a private jet belonging to Alexandra’s brother David Thanatos (the David Thanatos…impressive!) and headed to Izumo, Japan, to enter Yomi through the very cave that Izanagi used when he visited my mother so many millennia ago. Getting into Yomi through the cave wasn’t difficult…T.S. and Maria were each strong enough to move the boulder that blocks the entrance by themselves, much less working together. ^_^
It was quite nice entering Yomi through the front door. It was the first time I’d done so…I normally enter with Oiwa’s help or through a ritual. But it was a much longer walk than usual. The group of us traveled through the twisting caverns toward the sprawling metropolis of Yomi for what seemed like hours, Pierre guiding and protecting us with his spirit lantern. I filled the others in on the dangers and challenges of Yomi and we talked a bit about our adventures. I have the feeling the Haven group will grow into a powerful bunch of demigods just as we have. ^_^ But I’m not quite sure what they’ll become the gods of yet, though.
The first major challenge we encountered was a pair of what appeared to be ghostly samurai wielding yari and blocking the way through a huge, open cavern. It was a good bet they were guarding the way into Yomi proper, so finding them meant we were on the right track…but it also meant we had a fight on our hands. To make matters worse, they were actually gashadokuro cleverly hidden behind a thin illusion. Even as they stepped forward to attack, they grew into their full size.
I warned the Haven group that gashadokuro were very resilient but not heavily armored, and that they would probably try to grab eat people. I was a little worried that two gashadokuro might be a bit of a match for the group, but they impressed me and handled the creatures without too much trouble. Maria is almost as fancy as Ray in the way she fights! Almost, but not quite…no one is as flashy as Ray! I satyed out of the fight aside from helping to coordinate attacks, but Tabby leapt in and crush several of one gashadokuro’s bones before the Haven crew finished it off.
Not long after that, we emerged into a cavern that opened onto a waterfront. A small village of ghostly buildings, new and old, hugged the shore. T.S. seemed really interested in the mix of architectural styles and eras the buildings represented, so I took the opportunity to talk to him about the buildings. He seemed fascinated to learn that the buildings were almost all the “ghosts” of structures that had been destroyed in the world. You know, he may be a jock, but I get the distinct impression he’s a lot sharper than he lets on at first. Kinda like Ray, in a way.
Anyway, at first I thought we’d emerged into Yomi’s Great Harbor ward, but after speaking to the local ghosts (I had to act as interpreter, by the way, since no one else spoke Japanese), I learned we were actually on a different part of the sea that stretches from the harbor, in a sort of satellite village to Yomi. At that point, I realized we’d need a little more guidance than we had, so I took the time to find the village’s small shrine performed a ritual to summon Karen. You remember Karen, right? She’s one of the three goth girl ghosts I helped become acquainted with Yomi after I witnessed their mortal selves die at Suchette’s bar in New Orleans. Karen has been acting as a sort of guide to other ghosts since then, so I thought she’d be able to help us find our way to Yomi proper. And I was right! ^_^
Karen was more than willing to help, so we hired a large fishing boat and headed out across the waters. The ghosts were quite happy to help me out, being, as I am, the daughter of Izanami…though I have to admit, it was a bit disconcerting to have them all treating me like royalty. Especially the way they refused to look me in the face. I mean, I’m used to that to some degree in Yomi, but the ghosts closer to the Yellow Spring Mountain aren’t quite as formal when I’m around. I suppose it didn’t help that I had Tabby with me. The ghosts are scared to death of her, given the role shikome normally play here in Yomi (you know, essentially being the local commissars).
The voyage across the waters of Yomi was pretty exciting. I never really expected to get a good dose of swashbuckling in the Underworld, but when a ship of ghostly Japanese pirates attacked us, that’s exactly what we got. And let me tell you, the Haven crew can swashbuckler with the best of them. Between Maria’s sword, Wendel’s spear, T.S.’s hammer, Alexandra’s bow, and Cathy’s knife, the pirates didn’t stand much of a chance. Pierre helped out by shadow-stepping to the pirate ship and drawing their attention, and Tabby enjoyed ripping a couple of pirates to pieces with her claws. I even helped out a bit. It gave me a chance to practice using my gun anyway, though I did cheat a little by coaxing its kami to help me out. ^_^
Once the ghost pirates were dead, we continued our voyage and soon arrived in Yomi proper. Once there, finding our way to yellow Spring Mountain wasn’t difficult, especially with Karen there to help us. We did pass by the wall surrounding the Poison Sun Ward as we passed through the Ten Thousand Palaces of War. The Haven crew was naturally curious about it, so I told them what I knew. And…well…it’s scary how fate foreshadows our futures sometimes, but I’ll get to that.
We were only challenged once as we approached Yellow Spring Mountain. A patrol of shikome stopped us. They might not have let the others pass without trouble if I hadn’t been there, but I stepped into my rightful role as demigod and daughter of Izanami and more-or-less ordered them to inform my mother that we were on the way, so they backed down and let us pass. ^_^ Tabby likes it when I’m forceful like that, by the way. ^____^ I bet Emilie (the craziest of my shikome) would too. She gets a weird thrill out of it when I scold her. But I love her anyway. ^_^
Of course, just because the shikome did what I asked didn’t mean that mother herself wasn’t going to make us wait at the foot of the mountain when we got there…which we did, for a long time. >_< My mother can be very annoying at times, but I guess I can understand her need to make the relative status of those she deals with very, very obvious. In any event, shikome eventually came to escort us to the top of the mountain, where we washed our hands and faces in the spring before being allowed to see Izanami (you know, the standard drill…I’m used to it, but the Haven crew wasn’t, and I think a few of them, like Wendel and Alexandra, were getting a bit impatient at that point).
We actually met mother in an open courtyard at the top of the mountain, near the statues and the magnificent plum tree that grows there. Mother offered the Haven group plums from the tree. Of course, accepting would trap them in the Underworld, and Izanami only offers them as a courtesy (she doesn’t want them there any more than they want to be there, after all). None of them accepted, of course, though I almost thought Brent might…and would have stopped him by force if necessary. I can barely stand the thought of him stuck in Yomi. >_<
Anyway, my half-sister, Miyako, was with Izanami. It was wonderful to see her again, and even though she was a grumpy as ever, I could tell she was secretly happy to see her friends again…well, most of them anyway. The Haven group explained their needs to mother, who listened patiently. I was worried she’d deny Miyako permission to go and help them. After all, she’s not very generous, and since she’s withdrawn from the Dammerung Consortium, she’s not often inclined to grant favors. But she actually agreed to give Miyako one month’s liberty from Yomi if, and only if, the up-and-coming demigods would perform a task for her.
She wants them to venture into the Poison Sun Ward, seek out the entity that resides there and whose will opposes her own from time to time, and try to acquire that entity’s support in the war against the titans, or at least make sure it’s not on the titans’ side. They don’t have to be completely successful, but they at least have to give it their best shot.
I have to admit, I was shocked. That’s a daring quest for a group of young heroes. But in thinking about it, I suppose it makes sense. The Poison Sun Ward is lethal to mortal, and even more lethal to those whose divine blood is pure, like gods or demigods. But a group of scions who have not yet awakened to demigodhood might just be tough enough to withstand the rigors of the ward, but not yet divine enough for its poisonous atmosphere to kill them outright.
Naturally, the group accepted, and so Izanami left them to prepare. She left Miyako with them too, and I got the distinct impression that she wanted Miyako to go with them. I guess its time for my half-sister to evolve into demigodhood too. ^_^
Pierre passed his spirit lamp on to Maria, which I think meant a lot to her, and then he left. I stuck around long enough to say goodbye, and then I left them to their reunion with Miyako and followed my mother back to the palace. From this point on, it’s up to them. With any luck, they’ll emerge from the Poison Sun Ward in a few days, and I’ll be one of the first to greet them and learn of the success (or failure >_<) of their mission!