Old Scars (2)

*Two weeks before Mato's end*

Nathan sat in a polished, oak wood chair, arms crossed and leaned back. He was in a small, cramped room with a stone table and four other chairs. The table had small figurines and stones with symbols painted onto them staircase across its surface. It was a war table. Presently, Nathan and the other Deities, Mato, Evelyn, Lyra and Desrian, we're discussing the situation of the demons rising from their caves and joining in the war. Apparently two whole battalions were completely crushed, and according to the few survivors that were left, it was all by one demon.

One could guess it was an Archdemon, but to be able to take out over three thousand soldiers, alone, it was hard to believe. Especially when all of the survivors, which there were only four of, seemed to of been traumatized, and they mostly spoke in crazed ramblings that made no sense. It took three whole hours just to get the information they currently had out of them.

Mato and Desrian were yelling at each other in a heated argument over the actions they needed to take. Desrian believed that the best move would be to pull back all of the troops and come together, creating one massive army to march on the Titans with, that way if the demons, or the Archdemon, showed up, they would be able to handle them. Mato believed that Desrian's plan was foolish, if the Archdemon had enough power to kill two whole battalions single handed my, then if it grouped up with its other demons, and other Archdemons, their entire army would be annihilated.

"Well then what do you suggest we do? Keep staying in separate groups so we can all be picked off one by one?" Desrian roared in frustration.

"Look, I don't know, but we can't group up like that! It'll make us an easy target, especially against Titans who would be able to kill us in large groups, being spread out is better than being wiped out all at once." Mato said.

"We don't have time for this." Evelyn said.

"We need to make a move soon, or else it's the end of the human race."

"Pretty short lived, huh?" Nathan spoke.

"What?" Desrian asked.

"The human race has only existed a couple hundred years, yet we are already on the verge of extinction. Maybe it was meant to be."

Desrian stood, knocking his chair to the ground as he crossed over to Nathan, but Evelyn stood up and blocked his path.

"Stop." She said.

"What, you protecting your boyfriend because he is a coward who can't do anything for himself?" Desrian growled.

"Leave him alone."

Desrian raised his hand, but then Nathan suddenly flashed behind him, grabbing his arm and kicking his feet out from under him as he flipped Desrian's body over, his face bashing into the wooden floor, his nose snapping.

"I don't care what you say or do to me," Nathan said, "but if you touch her, I will kill you."

"Damn... bastard.." Desrian growled, and a sudden surge of aura stormed through the room.

"Enough!" Lyra yelled. "Nathan, I get how you feel, but you need to calm down. And Desrian, don't touch my sister. So just stop fighting, please. We need to be a team right now, not enemies!"

"Lyra's right." Mato agreed. "We need to stick together."

Desrian rose to his feet, shaking Nathan away from him, then returned to his seat, wiping blood from his crooked nose. Evelyn put a hand on Nathan's shoulder as he moved past her to sit in his own chair.

"The Titans have taken over Visrik, the city of the gods. Soon they will be marching on our kingdom as well, we need to organize a counter plan." Mato spoke, moving some pieces on the table. "Not only that, but we can make a calculated guess that the demons reside somewhere in the Teletosh mountains. I suggest we avoid encountering them entirely, at least until we have more information on them."

"You think we should send scouts there to try and find where they are hiding out?" Nathan asked.

"Not sure yet, we don't know if the demons have the ability to sense us or not. As of right now it's too risky... I think we should just avoid them in general. We have enough to deal with without having to fight demons."

"We are always fighting demons..." Lyra said quietly. "Just not in the same sense."

"Not the same." Desrian said.

"We need to focus on the oncoming Titans, if we don't take action soon it won't matter if there are demons or not." Mato said.

"Again, what do you suppose we do, oh mighty leader?" Desrian spoke in a mocking tone.

Mato was silent for a long moment, then his eyes widened.

"I've got it." He said. "Me and Lyra will take the fourth, fifth and sixth battalions and go through the Eastern Mountains, while Nathan and Evelyn will take the the first through third battalions through the Western Forest." His eyes turned to Desrian. "You will take the seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh fleets straight down the center of Mezzrik Valley. You will be the first group to engage the Titans, while my group, the second fleet, and Nathan's group, the third fleet, will come in from the sides."

"But that only leaves two battalions to defend Esselon... also the fact that the Eastern Mountains are pretty close to Teletosh..." Evelyn spoke up, glancing at her sister.

"I'm willing to take that risk." Mato said, his resolve clear in his words.

"But what about-"

"Evelyn." Lyra said suddenly. "I'll be fine. Me and Mato are the strongest of the Deities. There's no way we'd be defeated by some silly demons." She gave a warm, kind smile to her sister.

Evelyn bowed her head. She wore a frown and was obviously concerned for her sister's well being. Nathan felt an urge to reach over and grab her hand, his fingers twitching, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.

"Do we all agree to this plan?" Mato asked.

"Well, I have one issue." Desrian spoke. "I may have more soldiers, but I'm the only one among them who can use aura, making my group at a disadvantage."

"Actually, your group is at the advantage." Mato said. "Because you not only have the largest force, but you will also have Sedori go along with you."

Desrian nodded. "Fine. I admit it has potential to work. But what if you get killed by demons while you are in the mountains? We will surely lose if you don't make it..."

"We will be fine." Mato said, glancing over at Lyra and placing a hand on the hilt of a weapon sheathed at his side. "I have more than one ace up my sleeve."