1 The Beginning of the End

Noel was unhappy to say the least. Why on Earth does he have to be stuck with this angsty brooder? Literally anyone else would have been better but for some strange, teeth-grinding reason the Heaven King thought it appropriate to put them together.

Noel sighed as he looked over sourly at his partner for the duration of this mission. His partner being none other than the Sea God, Virgil himself. Virgil was as stubborn as he looked, with most people he was tight lipped and cold. His lack of speech made most people feel uneasy around him. From what you could see of him he wasn't unattractive per say just intimidating, like he would bite your head off at any minute. His long sleek black hair was braided behind him and out of the way today, on his face was his characteristic thin white veil that obscured his eyes from view. He had a strong jaw, high-cheekbones, and a nice muscular body, so only his personality was the real problem.

His head shifted towards Noel's slightly, as if he were watching him but then his lips turned downward in a sour expression and he turned away. Noel breathed through his nose as he crossed his arms and began walking off without a word. He, of course though was shorter than Virgil by a good foot or so, so it wasn't that hard for the Sea God to catch up to him. They both stepped onto the Heavenly Port Key, which was essentially a large platform with tons of symbols and writing etched into the sides. Once they were both on it light surrounded them and they felt weightless as they were teleported down to Earth. During this time Noel spoke, head still high and proud as he walked in as long of strides as his tiny legs could take him.

"Shall we go over the mission?"

"Indeed."

Noel heard the wrestling of papers next to him, then he heard Virgil clear his throat as he began.

"There have been reports of a plague moving swiftly though the Nyx kingdom, it's highly contagious and has killed every person who has gotten it so far. Nearly half of the kingdom's population has been wiped out. There is much reason to believe that this plague is unnatural and the work of demons. Our job is to find out what's causing the plague and to stop the demon behind it, and hopefully find a cure."

Noel made a noise of affirmation as the light around them dissipated and they stepped out into the outskirts of the Nyx kingdom. The high stone walls loomed above them, they appeared to be a mile or so away from the gates, which meant that the two would have a very awkward, deafeningly silent walk to the front.

Noel knew this silence would be easy for Virgil, the man hardly ever spoke unless he was forced to but for him he despised it, especially since it was such an uncomfortable silence. For a sheer moment of sanity, feeling like he was swallowing bile, Noel made an effort at conversation.

"So... Anything new with the sea lately?"

"No."

Noel's eyebrow twitched, he attempted again anyways.

"I hear tensions have risen between you and Aeaeren, what's going on there?"

"Nothing much, anything and everything irritates Aeaeren."

Silence once again, this time Noel snapped at him, finally turning to face the taller man.

"What do you want to talk about then?! Something that'll actually get you talking for longer than thirty seconds!"

Virgil rose a brow, which was the closest he could be to shocked. He then pursed his lips and pondered for a moment before replying.

"I like gems, I could talk about that. If you prefer."

"Gems? What kind of gems?"

"All kinds."

"Ok... Then tell me about..."

Noel thought for a moment, his mind sifting through the different kinds of gems he knew until his eyes landed on the necklace wrapped around Virgil's neck. He nodded to the necklace and asked.

"What kind of gemstone is that?"

Virgil rolled the stone around in his fingers for a moment, he seemed to be in deep thought like he was contemplating telling Noel or not. The gem was a pretty apple green color with little bits of white mixed in here and there, after a moment Virgil finally responded.

"It's a Chrysoprase, it symbolizes..."

"Yes?"

Before Virgil could answer the two were cut off by a large group of arrogant-looking knights who rudely walked right in-between them, pushing Noel to the side. They were now standing at the entrance, which was where the knights were heading to. Noel felt his face heat up as he stepped towards them, ready to roast them with his lightning when he felt a firm yet gentle hand stop him. He turned to find Virgil was the owner of said hand, Virgil shook his head and Noel sighed, crossing his arms.

Rather than getting into a fight the two walked to the gates and into the kingdom. Each person was being stopped before being allowed to enter, Noel watched as the knights held up a golden card and the guards promptly stepped to the side. He turned to Virgil who had read his mind as he handed Noel one of those cards. Virgil explained as the two held up their cards and were allowed into the kingdom.

"Since the plague is going around, the highest concentration being in the lower district, they're only allowing essential people in and out."

"Makes sense."

Currently they both were in the lower district of the Nyx kingdom, which also happened to be the most crime riddled and poor district. Up in front of them about fifty or so miles was the palace, it was so tall the palace's shadow loomed over them dreadfully. Three parts of the kingdom existed, lower, middle, and upper and each one of them was walled off away from the rest of the world and each other. As you got closer to the upper kingdom the more land there was in-between said walls. Noel had seen horrifying sights before, but this was by far one of the worst.

Half dead humans lay in make-shift beds all around them, deep trenches spanning unendingly into the distance filled with body after body all thrown in haphazardly with so many flies coming off them if one didn't look too closely they would swear it was a full on shadow. The stench was almost unbearable, making Noel almost gag from the sheer smell of death. The only thing worse than all of this was the moans and groans of agony that filled the area, echoing off the tall stone walls and reverberating through Noel's ears.

Noel had never been to Hell before, but he would prefer it over this.

Flashes of visions flooded the Gods' mind as he shook, the more he looked, the longer he walked around, the more the screams resembled his own memories. It made his chest tighten, not only with sympathy but also with nervousness. It was like being on the battlefield all over again. He could already feel his walking stagger and sway and Virgil must of noticed this too because he slipped a hand around his waist and held him steady. Noel let out a shuddering breath as he kneaded his knuckles into his forehead, his head aching, the memories refusing to go back to the deepest corners of his mind.

"Thank you."

He said quietly as Virgil led him into an inn which served as a sort of quarantine zone. The wooden inn only served to muffle the sounds of anguish that came from outside, but at least now it was slightly more bearable. Noel took a seat at one of the tables and Virgil went to the inn keeper to get some information.

He massaged his temples and focused on slowing down his breathing. Visions of war flashed through his mind, swords crossing, blood spewing, his own death was running through his mind. He held his side expecting to feel blood seeping onto his hand like it did before. He looked down to find his hand perfectly clean instead. Yes, Noel thought, he wasn't human anymore. He was immortal, incapable of dying. And he was no longer an Akavar soldier on the battlefield. He wasn't injured, he wasn't in danger, so why wouldn't his body calm down already?! Noel didn't know when Virgil came and sat beside him but one moment he had his face on the table and the next it was in Virgil's lap.

"What the hell are you-"

Noel started to snap but grew quiet as Virgil placed gentle hands on his head and began massaging softly. As his fingers moved in circles around his skull, soothing the pounding in Noel's head, Noel felt the tension in his body dissipate. He melted into Virgil's touch, sighing contently.

"You should've asked before touching me, I don't like people touching me without my permission."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Noel pursed his lips, looking up at the ceiling rather than at the half hidden face of the man above him.

"Thank you, the massaging helps."

"I know."

"The normal reaction to someone saying thank you isn't I know."

"I know."

Noel sighed and sat up, changing the subject before he got irritated.

"Learn anything from the inn keeper?"

"The plague started in section one of the lower district, which also happens to be where the plague is the worst. All of the locals who didn't die there abandoned the place, nothing living should be there anymore."

"Let's go check it out then."

As Noel went to stand up he was stopped by that same strong but gentle grip.

"You should stay here."

Noel scrunched up his face.

"What? No, I'm coming."

"I don't want you nearly passing out again."

"Thanks for the concern but I'll be fine, it was just the initial shock is all. I haven't seen anything like that since I ascended."

"You're staying."

"Says who? You? And who are you to tell me what I should do?"

Virgil's mouth tightened into a thin frown as he rose to his feet, bent over and hoisted Noel onto his shoulder and started walking towards one of the rooms in the inn. Noel started kicking and punching as he yelled out.

"What the fuck?! Virgil put me down! I am a Gods damn Akavar soldier, this is not the worst I've seen! I didn't come all the way here to be babied and locked away! Hey! Stupid Sea God put me down!"

Virgil refused to speak to him as Noel's skin started to spark, thunder echoed outside.

"You got too much sea water in that head of yours?! I'm not staying here and you can't make me."

Virgil put Noel down, dodging a punch so strong it sent a burst of wind towards the wall that cracked the wood. Before Noel went for another punch he expertly hit him in a pressure point and knocked the sky God out. Noel woke up to a completely empty in room, his hands and feet bound and Virgil nowhere to be found. Noel felt his face heat up as little sparks of lightning crackled off of his flesh.

"That damn Sea God, I'm gonna pulverize him for this!"

Noel figured that Virgil had at least enough common sense to search and make sure he hand nothing to cut loose with, only one problem Virgil wasn't a trained soldier with a keen eye for searching. Noel kicked the back of one of his boots on the wood beneath him and a tiny blade popped out of the toe. Smirking to himself the God kicked his shoe off with such precision that it landed right next to his bound hands. He grabbed his boot and started sawing at the ropes. Noel replaced his boot once he was finally free and set off thinking about all the ways he was going to fry Virgil.