36 Banned for Eons

Riku stared incredulously at Nyx. Likewise, Shizu did the same the moment she managed to stand up again. While they were both not amused with the way Nyx was talking about herself, the former assassin was more worried about his patron goddess leaving them alone to fend for themselves in what was practically enemy territory. Themis was a hostile god as far as he was concerned at the moment, and the only way to counter a god would be to have another god to bat for them if worst came to worst.

"And why not?" he quickly replied back. "You said it yourself that the ban imposed on you was lifted ages ago."

"It might be ages ago for you two, but for me, that feels like it was just yesterday," Nyx weakly defended herself. "Big Brother Themis might take offense to me barging into what is practically his room."

"But you're allowed to be with your Champion, right?" Shizu added. "What's stopping you from just telling Themis about that? Surely, he'll understand."

"Maybe, but I really don't want to take the risk," the goddess insisted. "In fact, my presence might even give you two an unfair disadvantage with how Big Brother might just up the heat on whatever challenge you two might have."

He let out a sigh at his patron goddess's reasons. Nevermind the fact that she was practically claiming ownership over Shizu just now with how she rolled her into their sphere of influence, but to think that a God of Order and clearly justice would be unfair was laughable at best.

"Look, Themis is your brother, right? You know him better than the two of us combined," he began. "Do you think that the literal God of Order would bend the rules just because he doesn't like us?"

"Well, he wouldn't. At least for you two," she shrugged. "As for me, well... His laws literally cannot affect me because I'm the Goddess of Chaos. Likewise, I can't really affect him with my power either, but that doesn't say the same for those around him."

As if to prove a point, Nyx held out her hand toward the ground. Dark Chaotic energy seeped from her palm, shooting into the ground and creating a puddle of what he could only describe as concentrated black anarchy. The chaos goo bubbled and boiled, crawling around and across the ground as if looking to corrupt more into its fold.

Almost immediately, the Lion Guards that were already looking at Nyx suspiciously all practically sprang into action. In response, Nyx directed the sentient pool of goo away from her, leaving it to get skewered and lasered into dust as the lions left no mercy for the small pool of chaos that once was.

"See? They're still like that because of the prank I pulled here back in the day," Nyx shrugged with a sigh. "They can't touch me for obvious reasons, but they'll do their best to stop me from entering, I'm sure."

Riku frowned. While the display she just gave them was telling enough, it didn't tell them that she would be prevented from entering the building with them in the first place.

"But that was before," Shizu pointed out. "That's not now."

"I agree. Besides, you won't know if you're not allowed if you don't even try to enter," Riku added. "Just step into the building with us. If you're still banned, then feel free to leave. Otherwise, come with us."

Nyx pouted underneath her hood as her shoulders trembled underneath her cloak. "You two should really respect me as a goddess more..."

"You may be a goddess, but you're still a friend," Shizu smiled at her. "Or at least, I hope we are."

"What? You might not be my Champion, but you're practically under my care at the moment. Or at least until Big Brother Tyche says otherwise," Nyx replied with a soft chuckle. "You know what? Fine, I'll come with you two, but don't say I didn't tell you otherwise if I get thrown out. Being banned for eons before all of this is still a thing I have to keep in mind, you know."

Amusedly shaking his head, Riku decided to take the lead once more as they collectively approached one of the many double doors into the building. Coming face to face with two Lion Guards, they both simply eyed them before turning away as if approving of their presence. The double doors then opened on their own, allowing them to enter as a group without much trouble.

As for Nyx, she inwardly hugged herself as she walked through the entrance. It was as if she was expecting a magical barrier to stop her entry, but to her surprise, nothing happened.

"I told you nothing would happen," Riku scoffed, Shizu chuckling beside him. "A God of Order would never be partial to bend his rules out of likes and such."

"I... I guess you're right," Nyx awkwardly chuckled as she pulled her hood down further to hide her face. "I haven't been here in so long though, so I won't have anything to say to help you if it comes to which is where and all that."

"And I'm guessing the entire building has changed since the last time you came here, yeah?" Shizu asked, her gaze already roaming as she took in their new surroundings. "This is... kind of massive. I thought it was big before, but this..."

Looking around, Riku could only nod in agreement as the interior of the building almost felt like they just entered yet another Depth with how massive things were. Around them, people walked back and forth with papers on hand, all of them moving with efficiency as if they were working in a well-oiled machine. It was like a utopia in terms of government offices where everything just worked without all of the bureaucratic red tape that came with it. Everyone was neat and organized, and all in all, it reminded him of any other courthouse except massively bigger in both size and scope.

"I suppose we have to see where to go now," Shizu chuckled. "There are even signs pointing where to go like an actual government office would."

While his ally sounded rather excited at what was ahead, Riku was feeling a creeping dread washing over him. Somehow, he had a feeling it was going to be harder than just going exactly where they had to.