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Chapter Text

North Dakota, United States of America | 2025

For too long Ajak had stood still, trapped as she was as the Prime Eternal. For millions of years she had helped Arishem usher in new life, recycling older forms of energy into new forms of life. This planet was done in its cycle and the Deviants were gone from this world, but she missed those under her guidance. 

She watched the movies that Kingo made, and read the literature they all had inspired and saw Sprite's hand in its craft. The Smithsonian and countless museums hosted exhibits spearheaded by Sersi and in them she saw Thena and Gilgamesh the world over. Phastos checked in from time to time calling her on the phone and filling her in as much as he would.  

Makkari stopped by for short visits but Ajak had not seen Druig for 600 years and she hadn't seen Ikaris in the same amount of time.

Their distance made guilt bloom poisonous within her.  

She had hurt the two of them the most with the strict hand she had taken, she had held them so close they nearly broke, and it drove them away.

Ikaris followed where Druig rebelled. 

She told them to go and to have a life. She wanted to know what meaning they found for their lives. 

She loved them and she let the golden light of love that linked her to her children swell within her until it called out—

“It is time.”

Chapter Text

London, England | 2025

Sersi's classroom was as hidden and historic as she was. Ancient curiosities spent their time imparting their secrets to all daring enough to pursue them. She spent her hours divining the knowledge arcane and found ways to link the past to the here and now.

They had guided humanity and crafted the first safe houses, transforming huts into walled empires. None had loved humanity as she had. They were hers.

Tucked within the museum from prying eyes she instructed her children, humanity, as she always had.

“Can anyone tell me about apex predators?” Sersi said casting her gaze across the classroom. It was filled with a diverse sampling of the richness the city had to offer. Bright minds looking for a bright future. A young girl raised her hand. “Yes—”

Sersi stopped speaking and turned towards something no one else in the room could hear. A deep longing had blossomed within her like a blooming lotus. It had been five hundred years since she saw her family but the promised day had come.

It was the Call.

Sprite rushed into the classroom with a huge smile on her face and Dane confused behind her. Her family had grown. Sersi took in the faces of her students with a smile of her own. “Class dismissed.”

Mumbai, India | 2025

It was the most ambitious scene of the entire film and everything had to go perfectly. All of the actors had learned the blocking and were weaving around each other in a grand interpretation of the secrets of the Eternals in Babylon. It was a story few who lived knew.

Kingo moved with the easy confidence of rehearsal as he moved through the routine. They had practiced the choreography for months and this was his favorite scene in the whole film. Nach Mera Hero was the introduction of Ikaris and it had to be flawless.

The men and women were supposed to separate and come back together but as he went to move a great warmth filled his heart and a voice called to him.

He stopped and turned towards it for moments unmeasured. The men smacked into his body and fell around him. He did not even feel them.

It was the Call.

“Cut!” He shouted and Karun rushed towards him. “We'll have to pick up Thena and Gilgamesh. They're completely off the grid...”

Chicago, Illinois | 2025

“Dad! Dad,” Jack said running up the driveway. “Did you fix my bike?”

Phastos stood up and wiped his hands on a grease rag. “Yeah little man, give it a spin.”

Jack cheered and rushed towards his bike Phastos smiled and Ben came over to them. He spoke but they could not hear him.

An instinct deep and eternal rose within Phastos. Hundreds upon thousands of years apart weighed on his heart before he remembered that they all lived. He could see them all if he wished and joy filled him as well.

He thought of Ajak and how much she would love to meet his family. The gold tether that connected them all sang within him.

It was the Call.

“Dad, what was that?” Jack asked as Ben stopped frantically waving in front of his face and heaved a huge sigh of relief.

“It was the Call, Jack.” Phastos answered.

“The Call?” Jack asked as he frowned. “What's that?”

“Yeah,” Ben said as he put his hands on his hips. “What's that?”

Australian Outback, West Australia | 2025

The sands of the outback were the same rusty red as Mars and at nights it was just as cold. Unlike Mars life thrived even in the impossibility of the desert. Thena stood at the edge of the garden she and Gilgamesh kept to sustain them and felt the warmth of the sun on her skin.

Thena felt the pull of Ajak's Call and frowned.

They had not seen each other since Tenochtitlan, since she developed Mahd Wy'ry and attacked Makkari, since Ajak proposed they erase everything she was and Druig defied her for the freedom of them all.

She had struggled with her condition for over five hundred years and she had good days and bad but they were her days and she remembered them.

“Thena?” Gilgamesh called walking towards her.

She looked to him, “It's the Call.”

“Yes,” He said. “Do you feel up to it?”

“’All Eternals must answer the call.’” Thena said as he set his wide palm on her shoulder.

“Damn all that.” He said coming around and leaning down to meet her gaze. “Will you be alright?”

“My Gilgamesh,” She smiled. “Every day is a battle and I am the greatest of all warriors.”

He laughed and offered her his arm, “Shall we then?”

Chapter Text

The Domo | Before Humans Recorded Their History

Darkness was full, ripe and rich. Warmth surrounded them like liquid in a womb. The were within that crystalline moment of mediation for time unmeasured. Hungry lungs swelled with and grew into baited breath. They were all of them there within His presence.

Together they waited for a single moment, a single signal, a single call to action—

"It is time." A voice, spoke through the darkness and they opened their eyes to the wonder the Celestials had built.

Even His effigy dwarfed them in His magnificence and at its feet their history was given the shimmering strength of quartz’s form. They had dared not open their eyes before it was time. No one had yet defied Him and no one could know His design.

This was the Grand Architect. Before them His likeness; the Red One, the Alpha and the Omega, the Oncoming Judge, the Prime Celestial Arishem. It was He who brought light and life into the universe and it was them He chose to protect it.

They answered His High Priestess' call by rising and gliding to their stations. Sacred geometry lit the walls with praise for Him in the power cosmic. Intricate latticeworks of sigils known only to those Eternal.

Druig, his said, and when he stood before it he was embraced and the armour of his station materialized on him.

He looked down at himself, he wore the robes of a noncombatant. The material something he's never felt before, flexible and strong. He's still a warrior but the assignment he’s been given is to use his mind.

He runs his hand down the sigils along his chest and smiled. They were from his homeland.

He looks around and spots a the same sigils in different configurations in shining gold over a deep dark blue. Another Northerner is on the ship.

Others on the ship were just beginning awkward attempts at conversing and their thoughts are like shadows in mist. He could reach out and know them but he’d rather speak to the one who has caught his eye.

He is at the window of their vessel with another in green, and the fiery curls of his hair spill impossibly red as he turns to her and speaks. She's from the lands south of them by her own etchings and from the same tribes as the one in white. Zuras’ daughter, he thought as he walked to the window the two of them found themselves at.

Druig spied the planet behind them and even from this distance simple minds wriggled like masses of maggots and grubs, and he frowned. It was then the other Northerner turned to him. Their eyes locked and some unknown emotion lurked behind the eyes of the other.

Had he intruded, Druig thought but he spoke as openly as his new nerves would allow. “It is nice to see you. I did not think anyone from the Northern clans would be chosen but here we two are.”

“Yes,” He nodded. “I did not think I would be here. It is a great honor to serve the Celestials.”

“Yes, it is.” Druig smiled as well. There's a lock of white in his hair, he thought mystified. “I hope to do our people proud.”

“I am Ikaris,” Ikaris said to him with a smile that crinkled the edges of his eyes.

Druig smiled back easier than he ever had in all of his long life, “And I am Druig.”

Chapter Text

North Dakota, United States of America | 2025

The airport had been a nightmare of inefficient design. Which Phastos complained about, often. The flight from Chicago to North Dakota was a short one but annoying no matter how often they did it.

“I can't wait to see Grandma Ajak.” Jack bounced in the back seat of the rental car.

“Yeah,” Phastos sighed before turning in his seat. “What did we go over Jack?”

“Be nice, mind my manners and stay away from Gilgamesh, Thena, Druig, Ikaris, Sprite and Kingo.” Jack recited as slow as he could.

“Perfect.” Phastos smiled ignoring his son's dramatics.

“Babe, he's not going to be able to talk to anyone.” Ben said as they finally came upon Ajak's property. “Should we have even brought him?”

“’All Eternals must answer the Call’” Phastos said solemnly.

Ben rolled his eyes, “Who says.”

Phastos shushed him and looked around, “Him.”

“Okay, but” Ben started but Phastos cut him. off.

“No okay buts,” Phastos stressed. “Unlike all the gods of this world who are just us or cranky aliens, He Is.”

“Okay.” Ben said.

“Okay.” Phastos said calming down. “I'm probably exaggerating, anyway. Sprite, Druig and Thena are probably the ones you most have to watch out for.”

“Again,” Ben said. “Not very confidence building.”

“Well, I'm not too confident on the intel either.” Phastos confessed. “Last time we were all together the Untied States didn't exist.”

“You're like really old dad” Jack spoke up.

“Thanks, champ.”

They pulled up next to a sleek black car. They all took a look at when they got out.

“Someone's done well for themselves.” Phastos said as he walked up to the stairs. He opened the door and stared down at the man at the door. “Who?”

“I am Karun, Mr Kingo's valet.” Karun said with pride.

“Of course you are.”

“Mr Kingo and Ms Ajak went riding but Mr Gilgamesh and Lady Thena are out back.”

“Gilgamesh is cooking?” Phastos asked with excitement that Jack fed off and darted under his feet.

“Yes, sir.”

“Excellent.” Phastos clapped. “Ben, Jack, this is Karun”

“I am Karun, Mr Kingo's valet.”

“He's Kingo's valet.”

“I heard that.” Ben smirked. “Wait, the Kingo? My mom loves his movies.”

*

“How have you been Kingo?” Ajak asked as their horses trotted slowly along a well worn path. Their ancestors had trotted the same path with Ajak and in all that time she had seen little of Kingo.

“Well, I’ve been great”

“Kingo.” She chided.

Kingo let his shoulders droop, “It's been lonely.”

“You have been alone all this time?” Ajak asked in disbelief. “But the man?”

“It is also lonely among men.” Kingo said. “I travelled with Sprite for a while but she's so much older than me and she got so mean.”

“Ah, yes.” Ajak nodded thinking of Sprite. “She can be a bit maudlin.”

“Is that a word for bitter?” Kingo asked.

Ajak laughed, “Tell me of yourself.”

“You already know,” He said shy in a way that he only is at his most vulnerable. “You'll laugh.”

“I won't.” She assured him.

“Gilgamesh did.” Kingo pouted.

She shrugged, “It's Gilgamesh.”

Kingo laughed.

“You missed us.” Ajak mused. “I missed you all as well.”

Chapter Text

Babylon | 5000 BC

One of the businesswomen in the town hosted a celebration in their honor after Gilgamesh defeated 'The Bull of Heaven.' Ikaris was going to have a word with Sprite. That was ridiculous. It was a collaborative effort, but Ikaris let Gilgamesh have his moment.

The older man was proud and vain but a trusted warrior and friend. He could count on him, Ikaris thought as he watched the Druig pass through the crowd from the loft he was perched on with Thena.

"I don't understand him," Ikaris said with a frown.

"Gilgamesh?" Thena asked looking over the railing.

Ikaris shook his head, "Druig."

To that Thena hummed, "Without effort you never will."

Ikaris turned his head toward the wisdom she was offering, "Druig thinks before he acts, and doesn't often share his knowledge."

Ikaris groaned, "Then you understand—"

"What I know," Thena smirked, "is that you act before you think."

Ikaris let go of his passion with a sigh, "So we are too different then?"

"An interesting choice of words," Thena pushed herself off of the ledge and turned to walk away.

"One might call that complimentary," She called over her shoulder.

*

Ikaris mulled over what Thena said for a few days. He remembered when they awoke to the sight of Earth and Druig had spoken to him. He was so full of hope and happiness and Ikaris had watched as Druig showed less and less of that side of himself.

He was still very passionate and had tried for camaraderie with everyone but only found it with Makkari. Druig guarded more and more of himself until Ikaris only caught glimpses of the caring he was so full of. Now that Ikaris watched wary eyes followed Druig so often it was easy to see how his earnest nature hardened.

Ikaris wanted to see more so he asked Druig to spend time with him. With me, Druig asked and when Ikaris reassured him he beamed as if he had spent all their time there waiting for Ikaris to ask. It made him feel a bit guilty. He couldn't actually recall spending any time with Druig.

"What does it feel like to fly?" Druig asked Ikaris as they walked outside the blue walls of Babylon.

Ikaris looked bewildered as Druig waited for an answer. "I could show you?"

"No." Druig looked into the blue of Ikaris' eyes. "What does it feel like for you when you fly?"

"Oh," Ikaris nodded. "No one's ever asked me that before. It may take me some time."

"Time we have aplenty." Druig smiled.

They continued their walk through the wilderness until Ikaris come upon an answer. He stopped when it occurred to him and Druig almost slammed into him. Ikaris steadied him with a strong arm around his waist and their faces were mere inches apart.

"It is like surrendering," Ikaris confessed. "It is trust in myself and my power to never fail me. That is how I rise on the winds."

"Faith." Druig said looking down at his lips and into his eyes. "Your power relies on your faith."

"Yes." Ikaris said coming closer. "You understand me?"

Druig smiled and pressed their lips together.

"I am beginning to," His lips spoke against Ikaris'.

Chapter Text

The journey to the Americas was as uneasy as Dane’s stomach. Sprite was telling the truth. Sersi had confessed, finally. She was a god. She was many gods. She was older than civilization and he was about to meet her family.

“So the myths and legends,” Dane asked as he turned in the passenger’s seat towards Sersi. “Just to make sure,” He chuckled nervously as they passed more and more of the South Dakota countryside. “They’re all your family?”

Sersi gave a coy smirk, “More or less.”

“More more, or more less?”

“You have a serious belief problem, Young man.” Sprite huffed from the backseat. “I missed the days when people used to listen to me. Shakespeare,” Dane mouthed Shakespeare to himself in heady delight. “Now there was a boy who listened.”

”And we’re here,” Sersi said parking the car among the others. She laughed as she took in what was clearly Kingo's jet. “Home sweet home.”

Sprite sniffed as she rushed to knock on the door, “It’s no Babylon…”

“Well if it isn’t the runt of the litter,” Gilgamesh laughed as he opened the front door. Sprite frowned and he smirked. “Well? You just gonna stand there all day?”

Dane reached a hand out to shake, “Hullo, I’m—”

“We’ll save all that for when we come inside,” Gilgamesh walked back into the house. “I’m cooking.”

Sersi pat Dane on the back as he slowly lowered his hand, “Gilgamesh is a great cook.”

“And he’s more of a hugger.” Sprite called back as she rushed into the kitchen.

There was a small boy next to bowl where Ajak kept her fruit. He smiled at someone and as Sprite come around the corner. When she saw who it was she halted as if her blood had turned to stone.

“Thena,” Thena said shooting a lance of cosmic energy over his shoulder and spearing an orange. The ripeness of it exploded into the air filled it with its sweetness. She smiled, “Drop the ‘A.’”

Phastos rushed into the room rushing right past Sprite as if she wasn't there. “Okay, that's enough time with aunty Thena.”

“Oh dad,” Jack groaned when Phastos began to move him away.

“Hello Phastos,” Sersi said coming up behind Sprite. Her smile warm and familiar and he finally took in the two of them.

Phastos smiled at Sersi then looked down to frown at Sprite. “Long time no see.”

“I'll say,” Sprite frowned at him herself. “Five hundred years. You don't write, you don't text.”

“I was busy.” Phastos lied poorly.

Sprite raised an eyebrow, “For five hundred years?”

“It's good to see you,” Sersi cut through their oncoming bickering. She looked down at his son with big eyes.

“Oh,” Phastos snapped his fingers and squatted down in front of his son. “Jack, Remember how I told you about Sersi and Sprite? This is them.”

“Oh wow!” Jack turned around quickly. “You can both change stuff into other stuff.”

“That's Sersi,” Sprite said pulling her lips into a straight line of displeasure. “I can only imitate what she can do.”

“Dad says that you're the most imaginative,” Jack said quickly and Sprite fave him a sly look as Jack turned to Sersi. “Can you really turn men into pigs?”

“Uh,” Sersi looked from him to Dane who wore a similar enraptured expression. “In a manner of speaking—”

“What does that mean?” Dane asked.

“It means that someone is really salty,” Kingo said as he came in the room. “Isn't that right, Sprite.”

Sprite rolled her eyes, “It was one joke.”

“Greece was a joke?” Ajak asked mildly as she came from behind Kingo and Sprite shrank back already chastised. “I don't remember most of us laughing with you.”

Sprite didn't say anything but what was there to say when the rumors you started causes so much havok?

“Sersi,” Ajak reached out her hands and touched Sersi's cheeks. She smiled up at her and looked into her eyes, “I have missed you.”

“I've missed you as well,” She replied pulling back. “This is Dane Whitman.”

Dane stuck out his hand, “Pleasure to meet you ma'am.”

Ajak smiled and reached forward to bring him into a hug. “So you are the boy who has caught my Sersi's eye.”

“I—”

“So many books together,” Ajak clicked her tongue looking to the bookcase in the sitting room. “Did you two have to write so many? I am running out of room.”

Dane blushed as a bang from outside drew everyone's attention. Phastos rushed out and everyone followed to find Gilgamesh holding out an axe to a winded Ben. There was a wood cutter’s stump and heaps of chopped firewood.

“You've got to stop playing around,” Gilgamesh laughed.

Ben panted before grabbing the axe, “I'm an investment banker.”

“Phastos would pick the most boring man he could find.” Gilgamesh laughed as Phastos and Ben sputtered. “At least Sersi's man has some taste,” Gilgamesh raised his hand. “I read that book you wrote about me”

“I beg your pardon,” Dane asked and Gilgamesh laughed even more.

Gilgamesh raised his hands, “Stores that Shaped Humanity: Gilgamesh's Epic and Beyond.”

“Gilgamesh,” Dane whispered before jumping. “The Gilgamesh?”

“The one and only,” Gilgamesh smirked.

Thena hummed, tired of the conversation already, “What are you making?”

*

He was deep in within himself

In seclusion

And his love bloomed from him.

It covered the world in its mantle,

It cloaked the anima of their souls,

He is with them and them with him.

But he is also with him,

His (love?) who flew on Love's wings

She who covers the world.

He is the great spirit within all,

They await the God of Gods,

The One Above All,

For a great judgment is coming

When the worth of Mankind

Shall be accounted.

And the verdict shall be

Life or Anti-Life.

Excerpt from the recently found Tablet of Judgment.

*

“The Tablet of Judgment,” Dane said walking in the room proper. Ben had just finished reading it to Jack and he smiled. “I had forgotten that one was in there. Sersi do you—”

Dane turned but the good cheer had drained out of the room.

“Druig,” Sersi cast a somber gaze around the room.

“Druig?” Ben asked, brave as anyone. “I haven’t heard much about him.”

“You wouldn’t,” Kingo laughed. “Druig and Phastos have always been…prickly with each other.”

“Like, that my fault,” Phastos grumbled.

Ben smiled softly, needling, “Could you tell us about him?”

“I wouldn’t know where to start,” Phastos evaded.

Sersi smiled, “I do. He wrote the Tablet of Judgement,”

“What?” Dane narrowed his eyes. “You said you—” He sputtered. “How many of our exhibits are just people who you pretend to not know very well?”

“He taught humanity how to write and read,” She trodded on. “You could say he’s my counter-part in the mythic forms.”

“What? Druig hates humans” Sprite said frowning

“You know better than that.” Ajak gently corrected.

“No,” Sersi’s smile grew sad. “He’s always had a certain affection for humans but you can’t really say too much about Druig and not mention Makkari and Ikaris.”

“Oh yeah,” Kingo sighed. “Greatest love story this planet has ever seen.”

“The most dramatic,” Sprite grumbled.

Gilgamesh laughed, “But you love drama. Remember when they got married?”

“Which time?” Sprite asked warming up to it. “They kept getting married.”

“How come I’ve never heard of this?” Ben asked.

Phastos sighed, “There’s so much to say. I mean Druig and Makkari invented poetry just to make Ikaris blush.”

“Ikaris sang them the first song,” Sersi sat down next to Dane. “They were frightfully romantic.”

“I was not kind to them.” Ajak said facing the endless skyline. “I held them too tightly.”

“Yes,” Thena said. “You did.”

Chapter Text

Mesopotamia | 7000 BCE

Ikaris had plummeted towards the ground and let the wind take him from the Domo. He amoung them all had the ability to fly and the very air could not stand between him and the Deviant that had crawled from the depths of the sea. Lances of golden fire flew from his eyes and sliced into the savage beast.

It roared but Ikaris had no sympathy for it. It was killing his new charges and he would protect them. It fell before him and he flew to join his crewmates.

He hovered over the ground before landing next to Ajak. She reached for his wound and her warmth filled him as his flesh knitted back together. He smiled and thanked her.

Ikaris turned behind him and saw Sersi give a human a knife of gold and lapis. Druig cast a dark look to everyone and that night the humans had declared the boy their king.

"You interfered," Druig said to Sersi as soon as they entered the Domo for the night. He looked to Ajak, "You told her to interfere."

"It was a show of good faith." Ajak said calmly.

Druig stood in the center of their meeting room and they formed a loose ring around him. He looked in all of their faces and looked for someone who agreed.

You did interfere, Makkari signed then she shrugged. But it got them to trust us.

"We don't need their trust," Thena countered. "We need to destory the Deviants."

"But if they don't trust us, how can they tell us about the Deviants?" Sersi asked.

Gilgamesh laughed, "The screaming should let us know just fine."

"We don't even speak their language," Kingo pointed out. "Speaking to them isn't helpful right now."

"I didn't mean any harm," Sersi said looking to Ajak. "Nothing bad will become of it, right?"

"They are declaring that boy king," Druig said, his eyes an impossible gold. "And they will listen to any decision he makes, for good or ill, because they think you chose him to rule over them all. They listened to each other before now."

His eyes filled with pain, “They have declared us gods.”

Babylon | 575 BC

There are many types of love and Druig has felt them all. In the simple anima of the minds of humans, in the pride of his father when he had been chosen to spread the will of the Great One, when he felt the cool shade of his comrades minds seeing one another and in the peerless love he had for Makkari and Ikaris.

Blue is the color of the cool gaze Ikaris gave him on the Domo. Like pure water it quenched the burning within Druig every time he felt Ikaris’ focus, his mind, his body, his essence a balm. Warm, rich and brown was the fullness of the trust Makkari and Druig shared. Seeds of desire planted ripened as quick as seasons, over and over in perpetual cycle.

Quick, clever Makkari had suggested a quest, a dalliance insignificant in the scheme of their mission, but one she insisted upon.

Help me find my tablet, She signed.

Ikaris shook his head, “I can not abandon my post. My defence of this city and these people are vital to our mission.”

Makkari rolled her eyes, My tablet can help them too. It's everything I remember of transmutation.

“Alchemy?” Ikaris stood up. “If the humans were to discover even a fraction of the secret arts—”

“Seems we ought to get it back then,” Druig said with a smirk.

*

“The Emerald Tablet?” Ajak said turning towards them. “I shall have to inform Arishem of this.”

“You don't,” Druig said, face relaxed and his demeanour calm. “We already have our orders on matters like this: do not interfere. To let that tablet circulate would be interference.”

Ajak's eyes narrow and something twists in Ikaris’ stomach. Why was she looking at him like that? “To create the tablet and lose it was interference in the first place.”

“I can not sanction two combatants to go off searching the desert while the Deviants still plague humanity,” Makkari's face falls, and Druig's spine straightens with the finality in her voice.

“I could go with them,” Ikaris offered.

Ajak turned to him, “I thought you were.”

“I—” Ikaris sighed. “I did not think I would be allowed the same liberties as my comrades.”

Ikaris looked hopeless and Ajak torn, “The same liberties as your comrades?”

“I am held to a higher standard,” Ikaris spoke. “I am not allowed the freedom to go very far. As the strongest I am always in need so I am without my own needs.”

“Is this what you think Arishem wants for you, Ikaris?” Ajak asked confusion clear in her voice. “A life of isolation and unflinching servitude?”

“I do as Arishem wishes,” Ikaris said. “If I am to give up all I am to be what He wishes then I do so gladly.”

Ajak sighed and turned from them towards the splendor of the Hanging Gardens. “I can not allow you to abandon your mission completely but we should be able to manage a few months without you.”

Gupta Empire, India | 400 AD

Ikaris sits with Makkari and Druig on either side of him and where that was once novel it has grown familiar. Ikaris takes a drink of wine and Druig whispers something that Makkari quickly responded to and wine shoots out of Ikaris’ nose and it stains his wedding tunic with the force of his laughter.

His hair has grown long, Sersi thought looking over to them. The spill of his curls falling fiery across his face. He looked around for a cloth to wipe his face with but Druig already had one for him and he wiped sticky sweetness from their lover's face.

“I didn't think they'd get that close.” Kingo said coming up next to her. “It's refreshing.”

“Refreshing?” Sersi asked turning toward him.

Kingo smiled soft and sad, “I've never seen him as carefree as he is with them.”

“It's gross.” Sprite said frowning.

“No,” Gilgamesh laughed looking at her frown. “I think it’s jealousy, Sprite.”

Sprite lifted her hands to cast an illusion but lowered her hands as Thena raised her brow.

“I think it is good for them,” Thena said. “It is nice to see him release some of the weight he carries.”

There was nothing any of them could say against that.

Athens, Greece | 453 BCE

Greece is where the first cracks appear within their family.

Centuries have piled into millennia and the years begin to weigh on them all. Sprite becomes less forgiving in her allusions and illusions but something is bothering Sersi and Ikaris and they can all see it.

Makkari continued her search for her Emerald Tablet in her down time and was gone but quickly back. Druig was not as easily found. They had arrived in Athens and stayed in Acropolis there but Druig had grown somber.

They had chased a group of serpentine Deviants from India to the East and to Greece; great things called Python, Hydra, Manda and Orochi by the humans. One of them knocked Thena's tiara from her as it whipped her toward Ikaris. When it strikes Druig to the ground as he helps evacuate Sprite thought great fun and it was Druig's last straw.

He leaves in the night without a word as stories spread of Apollo killing his lover. It shouldn't hurt as much as it does; but he wakes and Druig and Makkari are gone and so is the color from his world.

Makkari comes back, as fast as imagination from Druig in the West to Ikaris in the East. They are stories told of her steps, a messenger from this world to the next. Mercury who sought out dark silent Pluto and Hades.

They eventually found Druig in a grove. The people they meet speak the accented tongue of the Northern Lands of Olympas. Clear tears flow down Ikaris fade to hear home so close after so long.

The people had followed Druig's teachings for generations. He had watched over them as Sersi had watched over the Sumerians and the Babylonians. She was Earth Mother and he was the God of the Trees.

They praised him as his teachings helped them survive their harsh winters and they called themselves druids in his honor.

Ajak insisted that they leave them.

Tenochtitlan | 1521 CE

“You're going to erase everything she is,” Druig hissed and his burning resentment bloomed like fire all around them.

“Druig,” Ajak chides.

“For 7,000 years I have heard them,” Rage lights from smoky embers within Druig. “Before we even left the Domo, wriggling like maggots in a fresh corpse, but they were simple thoughts, disorganized,” He cast his gaze over solemn Ajak and naive Sersi. “Until you organized their malice and their hatred.”

“Could our mission have been a mistake?” Druig asked but no one had an answer for him.

Makkari's face fell and Ikaris pleaded with a silent horrified gaze but now started Druig would not stop, “I have had to listen and do nothing as they committed atrocities so often they had to give them names.”

“This is what they call war, It was divinely inspired,” Druig chuckled and it was rusted nails and broken glass. “By us.”

“Druig stop,” Ajak commanded.

“It was you,” Druig disobeyed. “And Sersi.”

“Me?” Sersi asked with wide eyes.

Druig smiled with the weight of knowing, “Turn a blade to gold, and you make of war and death an idol.” He raised his arms and encompassed the horrors below them. “You are the architects of this.”

Ajak gestured towards Ikaris.

She would finally have him choose: his love for Arishem or his love for Druig and Makkari.

He made his choice but the stone of his conviction was porous and easily fractured. Arishem could not possibly want this. He was Unity.

They comrades looked on in horror as Ajak used Druig and Ikaris’ love against them. It was sickening to watch. Ikaris’ faith was legendary. He never wavered in his love and she was forcing him to choose the love of his God over the vows of his marriage.

“Ajak, no,” Kingo being the only one of them to voice his objections.

Stop this, Ajak, Makkari signed, but Ajak disrespected her by not even glancing her direction.

Ikaris grabbed Druig by his tunic and pushed him against the stone wall in His name.

Druig's eyes filled gold with righteousness, “Do you disagree, my love?”

“No,” Ikaris’ eyes watered.

“You have risen your hand up against me. Do you mean to stop me,” Druig jerked his chin over Ikaris’ shoulder. “For her?”

“Arishem—”

“She has not asked Arishem,” Druig reminded all of their comrades listening. “But I can hear thoughts.”

“Would you all like to hear what Arishem has said?” Druig asked and they all stirred with the want to know.

Phastos shifted, “That's…”

“That is enough, Druig.” Ajak shouted.

Ikaris looked to her in anguish, “But Ajak, shouldn't we—”

“Know your place,” Ajak said to him and he shut his mouth.

Ajak narrowed her eyes as she looked to Druig, “You question your faith?”

“I ask for clarification,” Druig replied. “If our mission is to not interfere with human life then why were we sent here?”

“To kill the Deviants,” Ajak stated.

Druig frowned, “That interferes with human life. If the Deviants were to naturally wipe humans out then saving them from Deviants interferes with their lives.”

“Do you wish to abandon your mission?” Ajak asked.

“You said the Deviants were gone,” Druig looked to Phastos who nodded. “Then our mission is over.”

“You think you can divine Arishem's design?” Ajak asked. “Then go.”

Druig shrugged off Ikaris’ hands and walked away from them all.

*

“What have I done,” Ikaris said as his stomach lurched. He was pacing back and forth as the city silently burned. He's raised his hand to Druig and what he had done made him sick. “What have I done.”

Makkari had come to him drawn by his pacing and aura of anxiety. So many things were happening so quickly but quick was as much her specialty as adapting.

She walked into the room and Ikaris cast his red rimmed gaze towards her. Are you okay?

“No, I” Ikaris closed his eyes to hide from his shame. “I was violent with him. I'm—”

Makkari sliced her hand through the air and his eyes opened in surprise. He'll forgive you.

“What? How could he?” Ikaris asked.

Makkari shrugged, He's disappointed, not mad.

“Ajak wants us to break up.” Ikaris said looking down. “I don't know what to do.”

What does your heart say, Makkari asked before grabbing his chin and making him look up.

“My heart sounds like Druig.” Ikaris laughed wetly.

Mine too, Makkari smiled.

“Remember Babylon?” Ikaris asked and Makkari nodded. “Druig said that I was a protector.”

You are, Makkari said. You can be more than that too.

“Can you show me how?” Ikaris asked and Makkari smiled and nodded. “Do you think we can catch up to Druig?”

Makkari scoffed, Of course.

“Race you.” Ikaris said but Makkari was already streaking through the night.

He laughed and rose on the wind and followed her.

Chapter Text

As the sun set in Montana a shadow passed through the trees of the Amazon. Waves crested in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and fish fled from it, instinct driving them away. Birds flew from it as it passed over the parched lands of Texas and Wyoming.

The festivities had died down outside of Ajak's home. Everyone had decided to eat and the mood grew sombre sharing stories of the three missing from their number. Thena turned suddenly and everyone jumped as she stood.

“What is it?” Ajak called as a cool wind blew and all of the lights in her home flickered into nothingness.

Karun slumped over in his chair, as if his strings were cut.

Kingo reached out to him, “Karum!”

“Sersi, what's going on?” Dane asked and Karun's eyes opened with an opaque, golden intelligence that was not his own.

“That is what I would like to know,” An accent the people of Ireland adopted fell from his lips.

“Druig,” Phastos snapped, hiding Jack behind him.

“In the flesh,” He laughed before entering their minds and projecting his image over Karun's. He sat with a self assured smirk in a tunic of pale blue, with a robe of indigo around him. Ikaris’ colors.

“Let him go,” Kingo growled.

Druig snorted, “In due time.”

“Why have you not returned?” Ajak asked.

“Why would you think I would?” Druig asked her. “Our ideologies differ.”

“That's an understatement.” Sprite said under her breath.

“For once I agree with you, you little demon.” Druig said. “What are you wantin’ with me husband and wife, Ajak?”

“The Call.”

“I am aware of it.”

“And you do not answer it?” Ajak said trying to tower over him.

“You can intimidate me no longer, Prime Eternal.” Druig said drawing even higher. “For 7000 years you and I have been at odds. I told them that I was privy to your considerations with Arishem and they have no interest”

“It is blasphemous to Arishem-”

“It is blasphemous to the One Above All to not divulge the totality of this planet's design.” Druig cut across her and she snapped her mouth shut.

“The One Above All?” Dane asked.

“Consorting with humans?” Druig shook his head.

Phastos said. “You've always looked down on them.”

“You've never wanted to see them for what they are.” Druig brushed him off. “Murderous, raping, and violent creatures. Their maggot-y minds haven't changed much no matter our inspiration.”

“You would lay with them and not even allow them the honor of making their own decisions”

“Rich from you” Phastos scoffed. “You enslaved an entire civilization.”

“I slaughtered an entire legion of Conquisdores and delivered the people of Tenochtitlan to freedom while you all sat in your fucking tower and watched a genocide.” Twin points of gold burned. “Do not lecture to me, Phastos. Unlike your human I am old enough to know your deeds, and the blood on your hands.”

“Stop this.” Thena said and Druig stopped. His respect for her stilling his sharp tongue. “You will not come?”

“Princess, you ask too much of me. I can not leave my people and I can not leave my son.”

“Son?” Gilgamesh asked.

Sprite snorted, “Your people? You mean your slaves.”

“My worshippers have enjoyed 20 generations without war, with food and shelter and long life. No different than Sersi and Ajak's Sumerians, Akkadians and Babylonians.”

“Like your druids?”

“Like, my blessed druids, you little devil.” The gold of his eyes were as bright as lights in a bog. “I don't have your little illusions but I can make you believe you're the happiest bug in the shit heap” Fear filled Sprites eyes. “Would you like that? I owe you.”

“Druig,” Ajak said gently. “Where is Ikaris?”

“You can not have him,” Druig hissed. “You have done us enough hurt. Leave us be.”

Ajak took the blow to her pride, and no one would refute him. It was an old hurt, a poisonous sting in the sands. “I want to make sure you're alright with my own eyes.”

Druig said nothing as he reared back like a serpent. A light flashed on above the and temporarily blinded them with its brightness. When their eyes adjusted Karun was once again smiling before them.

“Druig?” Kingo asked.

“It is me sir.” Karun said. “Mr Druig left coordinates with me with the instruction that we will forget where they are after we leave.”

“What did he mean about”

“Later” Phastos growled.

*

A shepard with flaming locks of auburn hair tends to his flock.

Ikaris had been called to protect since before the young race humanity stumbled into standing up right. As he watched his own son flit between the people he had sworn to protect he understood Arishem's love as he never had as he watched his own children grow.

“Da,” Andagda said flying over to him. “Can I play?”

Ikaris opened his mouth to say yes but the pressure of the air changed. To those who flew through the air such changes were vital as the two of them were sensitive to changes in atmosphere.

Ikaris rose on the wind and cast his staff to the ground. “Andagda, gather the flock and the villagers.”

“But dad,” Andagda called but did as his father bade him.

*

No pilot would fly to the stretch of forest Druig had claimed for the new Druids. It was said to be cursed. Even the most seasoned of pilots heeded the superstition. More planes had went down than in the Bermuda Triangle. International flight paths had been made around the hallowed place and for centuries tales of madness and death flowed fearful and free to all that would hear them.

In the end Kingo had to fly his own plane as no one wanted Druig grabbing hold of Karun and crashing the plane. And so he was to first to see Ikaris.

“Ikaris,” He called out but there was steel in Ikaris gaze and he did not share in Kingo's joy.

Land the plane, He signed in Sumerian sign language, or I will.

“Shit,” Kingo said preparing to land the plane.

Sprite fastened her seat belt, “He doesn't mean that right?”

“I don't want to find out.”

*

“Ikaris,” Ajak called as she came out of the plane.

“Why have you come here,” Ikaris said casting them all a distrustful glance. “I thought Druig spoke with you.”

I have, Druig spoke directly into their minds.

“Then why have you come?” Ikaris asked.

“Hey big guy, don't be like that.” Gilgamesh groaned. “You were missing the party.”

“You brought humans” Ikaris said instead of acknowledging what Gilgamesh said. “Have they been vaccinated?”

“Again with the racism,” Phastos said. “I expected it from Druig but I thought better of you Ikaris.”

“What are you talking about?” Ikaris looked at him as if he had grown a second head. “The New Druids live a life isolated from the outside world and don't have immunities for many of the infectious diseases humans have. It is fine for Eternals to visit but humans and their diseases could wipe them out.”

“Oh,” Phastos said. “That makes sense.”

“Flawed as they are they are Arishem's creations and I have no ill-will to the mud-monkeys place in His design.” Ikaris said.

“Nevermind.” Phastos said pinching the bridge of his nose.

“What's a mud-monkey?” Jack asked.

“I think it's a slur.”

“I suppose it is,” Druig said as he came out of His forest. “Please refrain from using it in front of the mortals m’love.”

Druig cast his gaze over them all, distant and terrible. “I thought I said no humans”

“Now we came all this way” Druig gestured towards Sprite and her brain forgot how to speak.

“Druig,” Ajak started and he raised an eyebrow.

“Out of respect I've allowed you to come this far but you give no orders here Prime Eternal, for I have received Revelation” “And you have no power over me.”

Druig's voice gentled, “Away with you. I'll lead them there.”

Ikaris’ eyes warmed as he turned and looked to him and rose through the trees.

“Where's he going,” Gilgamesh asked as Druig turned to walk away.

“We'll be joining him soon,” Druig called behind him as he started walking. “Follow me.”

“Um, excuse me,” Dane called as he rushed up to him. “Dane Whitman. Could you tell me”

“You are Sersi's.” Druig said without looking at him.

Dane looked back to Sersi who gave him and encouraging motion. “Uh, yes.”

“How intelligent,” Druig said. “I am her counterpart, to answer your question.”

“I haven't asked you” Dane trailed off in astonishment. “You can read minds?”

“That is the least of what I can do.” Druig said stepping over a root.

“I became known as the Adversary, on my own. Never a kind name for me,” Druig chuckled. “In our travels my loves and I gained many and more names.”

“We were called the Thrice-Great, although it became attributed solely to Makkari for crafting her tablet. Ikaris and I were called the wandering angels, and together we were the Morning Star and I, Lucifer and Ikaris came to be known as Gabriel, both the angel of Death and the messenger. I have been been within the minds of humanity before we even set foot on this planet. I felt babies being born and dying men weep in their last moments for paradise.”

“I have known every liar, and thief and scoundrel. I see every face that decides against mercy to those without means. I knew the moment humans decided to enslave one another.” He finally met Dane's eyes. “Your kind will have a lot to answer for, my friend.”

“Druig stop it.” Sersi said, soft but firm.

“Golden child,” He hummed. “Have you forgotten your own rules? This is my home.”

“What does he mean?”

“Hospitality.”

“The most sacred of duties.” Druig confirmed. “I'm telling the truth. Makkari and Ikaris shall tell you.”

“Tell us what?” Thena asked.

Druig looked back on them with pity. “The Old Gods are returning.”

*

Druig led them to a stone structure that had been carefully cleared of debris but still held the smell of blood.

“Ugh,” Sprite called out. “Whats that smell?”

“This is where we negotiate with outsiders,” Druig said with a shrug, then his image in their minds faded like the heat of a mirage.

“He wasn't here the entire time?” said.

Phastos sighed, “You get used to it.”

“Well, the negotiations sometimes go south.” Druig said coming out of the stone structure with a dark haired baby strapped to his chest. “You can never be too careful.”

“Is that your son,” Sersi said coming forward quickly but stopped at Druig's baleful look. “You said you have a son.”

“I do,” A gust of wind smacked them all in the face. “And a daughter. Inana, what have we discussed about air displacement?”

“Da!” Andagda said as he crashed through the treetops. He red hair flying over him. “I saw the plane but Father told me” He flew behind Druig “Are those Outsiders?”

“They are Our comrades,”

“We're family.” Sprite growled.

“I've never seen you before!” Inanna said and Andagda stuck out his tongue.

“Yeah!”

“Don't wake the baby,” Ikaris said landing next to Druig.

“Who's the little goblin?” Andagda asked.

Inanna gasped, “Maybe it's a Deviant.”

“You have children,” Ajak asked Ikaris in wonder and he stiffened but raised his shoulders in pride.

“Yes, they are my children.” Ikaris said. “Eternals.”