Chapter Text
Later that night.
Apollo, Darcy Graves, and Rem were ducking through dim alleyways. Sneaking past the night watch.
The city always went into lock down on the night of the ritual, mainly to keep anything unfortunate from happening to the normal citizens of the cursed apple.
“Does the patron really have to make us meet in such a dilapidated place? I thought the arch-mother was going to be regal?” Apollo bemoaned as he accidentally got caught up in a cobweb or two.
“Can it, golden boy. We’re almost there.” Graves bopped him on the arm which made him yelp. Rem was just napping on his pillow floating alongside the two. Unaware of their usual bickering.
~
To say their new team was a bit of a mismatch was an understatement.
An Ixian detective the size of a brick wall.
An Ixian Prince who’s pretentiousness almost exceeded his ego.
A high school necromancer with jars of skulls.
A sleepy baby bird thing?
A federal Agent who rem immediately called his mom and leapt at.
And a woman with a green arm that seemed to be looking straight through the Ixian detective's soul.
The detective who called himself Abrams seemed to be a bit uncomfortable with her staring. Opting to just try not to look at the woman’s intense and almost hungry gaze.
Apollo and Darcy stood between them a bit uncomfortably. Apollo didn’t even bring up the shared Ixian heritage which took a lot of restraint.
“Ehem.. anyway. We should decide the groupings before we go in. Since I can see that three out of the six of us seem to be new to the ritual I’ll have to explain a few things.” Haze, the federal agent, spoke up. Cutting through the awkwardness with one of her sleep daggers.
No one else had any better ideas so they just nodded along and listened to her explanation.
~
“Apollo, you and Geist will take the green lane.” Apollo stood up from his seated position to object to Haze’s plan immediately.
“Preposterous! Graves is the only laning partner who shall be able to keep up with me.” He almost slammed his hands down on the table. “That noble woman may be of use but I refuse.” His tail swooshed lowly behind him in an angry manner.
“Fine then. If the two of you die due to your inexperience do not blame the rest of us.” Haze retorted in a neutral tone. Apollo relented with his stance lowering. Being able to be there to protect Darcy made his tail wag a little. Graves noticed and huffed in exasperation.
“I’ll keep him in check. Don’t worry mom.” Graves said with sarcasm. Making Rem giggle from his perch on top of Haze’s head, using his pillow as a cushion. Haze didn’t make a peep but they could tell she wanted to grumble.
~
Apollo now knew what it was like to get shot, not fun. Though at least it was to protect Darcy. He’d get shot a hundred more times if it was to protect her.
She was caught off guard by the disappearance of a blue ghostly woman with a rifle when it happened. The moment she turned to look for her a shot rang out and Apollo leapt in front of her, taking the bullet to his lower chest instead of it ripping straight through Grave’s temple.
In her rage she summoned a large tombstone and sent a swarm of 20 zombies chasing after the ghost who was now on the ground again.
She had tears pooling and smudging her makeup as she screamed and cried out with rage. A burning fury. Throwing every single summon she had stored at the other team.
Apollo was still alive and barely breathing, but she wouldn’t settle for that. She wanted blood. Revenge.
Apollo’s hand on her shoulder made her jump, she turned and he was barely standing but giving her a thumbs up with his perfect smile tainted in blood. She didn’t know how he was still alive but she was happy he was. In their moment of peace they retreated, closer to their guardian.
She leapt at him and pulled him into a searing kiss. He was shocked. Especially since there was blood smearing all over her face from his. She didn’t care.
“You idiot! Never almost die again or I swear to god I’ll revive you as a zombie and kick your ass.” She said, cupping his face. Her bangs brushed out of her face for once, letting him see both of her eyes. She had a look of relief. Her pupils dilated when he was in her vision. Focusing on every detail of his face. He was the same way.
“I can’t believe it, you have a thing for me!” He teased, completely ruining the moment they were sharing. Poking her chest accusatorily as he laughed. She stomped on his foot and turned away.
“Moron. Can’t you just let a good moment exist without being a prick?” He smiled. She didn’t deny it. He held her from behind and kissed the back of her head.
“If we live, I’ll take you to dinner as an apology.” He promised as she jolted from his touch. Not expecting him to be affectionate or genuine at that moment.
“You’re gonna have to do a whole hell of a lot more than that to make up for it.” She grumbled as she turned a pale pink at the feeling of him holding her.
”I’ll add some more kisses into the deal.” He added smugly.
”…fine.”