Third Born

“That is one thing gods and mortals share. When we are young, we think ourselves the first to have each feeling in the world.”

[dantexlykos]

enzoxcorsetti​:

-

Enzo found that to be an interesting choice, but he wouldn’t press. Perhaps when Dante wished to offer up the information, he would. But the air genasi was fine with not pressing, instead humming. “From what I understood, a sacrifice is made. Our soul jumps to another’s body – whomever we sacrifice – and that’s how we are able to move on. Immortal souls, not immortal bodies.” He wasn’t expecting Dante’s candor, and he stayed rigid. Those who had cared about him had been few and far between, and his ambition had always left people behind or in his destructive wake. But Dante was not part of that. There had been nothing but rawness between them, and Enzo chose to not run away from how he was feeling, lest he forget what it was truly like to feel once more. “It would only be complicated if my cat didn’t like you,” he managed with a smile, his hand coming out to rest against the other’s jaw, “If there is anyone I would like to….try this with, it’s you. I’m not perfect, but I know how I feel.”

-

“A life for a life. Makes sense” It seemed like a simple enough practice, one that befitted the genasi’s patron. Dante couldn’t help but be curious though, if this was Thanatos’ deal, and Hel asked for love - then what of the others? Knowledge was power, as was favor when it came to Gods. There was a litany of others who dealt in death across the pantheons, perhaps some day he’d traverse further into the other realms and see what secrets were kept buried. “I never did ask about the veil. Perhaps it’s for the best.” Dante said simply, ready to put the topic behind them. Emotions weren’t an easy subject for him, but hearing the other’s feelings invoked something within him along with Enzo’s touch. “I have a habit of disappointing the people I care about.” Dante admitted, his hand folded over the other’s as a strong hand long scarred by sacrifice covered the air genasi’s slender fingers. “You are the one person I’m afraid of hurting the most.”

[dantexlykos]

“I thought I might find you here.” Dante greeted as he entered the forge he’d had constructed for Fenrir near the rear of his property. The original shifter deserved some manner of privacy, and this afforded him as much so he could attend to the craft he was so fond of. There was little that heat and force could do to metal that Dante could not do himself with magic, but it pleased his ancestor to keep to the old ways. There was something to be learned here too, Dante knew this. “The other genasi and I called Thanatos, he answered.” The earth genasi wasn’t one for wasting his words or mincing pleasantries, though keen interest trained his eyes towards whatever it was that Hakon was working now. “I asked him how to find your mother, and he told me I should be looking for Eggþér.” @hakonxlykos​

[dantexlykos]

enzoxcorsetti​:

-

“Thanatos told me the price for his immortality,” Enzo said finally, his arms resting on his knees as he sat beside Dante. The other had posed the what now question, and he was prolonging whatever answer there was for it. Looking down at his hands, he was curious as to what Dante had asked, or if it was the same thing. The genasi finally turned his gaze to Dante, furrowing his eyebrows, “Is this all you wanted?” he asked plainly, though his tone wasn’t as accusatory as he thought it would be. Maybe it was more nerves that pushed the genasi to turn now, and he rubbed his jaw, “I can leave, if you want. But I’d rather stay.”

Immortality was the goal for so many of them, Dante had wanted to ask how to strengthen the veil instead, but at the final moment had been driven to ask another question entirely. Fenrir, Hakon - the man, the myth, the legend. Dante’s ancestor had a destiny, and somehow the genasi knew that his fate was somehow tethered to it. “I’m looking for someone,” Dante offered, “Thanatos pointed me in the right direction. What did he tell you?” It was impossible for him not to ask, even as the weight of the night before sat between them Dante had to know. “I care about you,” the genasi clarified, “and I want you to stay. This won’t… you don’t think this will complicate things?”

[dantexlykos]

thxnxtcs​:

-

“What you’re telling me is that you believe you haven’t done enough for me. The desperation for this answer is unbecoming. How to do it is easily enough to figure out, isn’t it?” The dominos continued to fall, almost like a timer. And it was, really. The last domino would fall, and Dante would be ejected from this world. Thanatos loved his games. “There is no task I have for you, Dante. If she hides from the All-Father of the Norse, what makes you think she doesn’t hide from me?” Looking more than curious, he wondered how Dante would find a way around such a predicament. To begin the death of gods was not a simple task. And it was not a simple answer. “Perhaps if you find the shepherd, you find the sheep. Eggþér will have your answer.” With that, the last domino fell.

They were running out of time together, at least because Thanatos willed it. Dante felt the magic that held him here waning, and while there was no time for anything else - the genasi offered his gratitude instead. “Eggþér.” He repeated, it was a start, and more direction than he’d had when he had started this undertaking. Fenrir would be pleased, more so it Dante succeeded. “Thanatos-“ the genasi was drawn from this place now, “thank you.”

END

[dantexlykos]

thxnxtcs​:

-

Well well, how the turn tables. Thanatos hummed, leaning forward in his seat now since his interest was more than piqued. It was an unusual request, and one that he could say he hadn’t gotten before. No one asked how to begin the doom of another pantheon, and the god considered it for a few moments. “So you wish to begin Ragnarök. While that is truly, and utterly, none of my business, I’m impressed that you thought to ask me that.” He had no need to lie, and reminding the genasi that he was better than him was redundant. He could enjoy a good question, made life a little more interesting. 

A set of dominos appeared around Dante, the first one being tipped with the flick of Thanatos’ finger, “You’re looking for the middle piece of a puzzle that doesn’t even have a frame yet. His freedom is set off by the death of a son. Odin’s son. With which it is Loki who orchestrates it. What you are looking for is a way to contact him, isn’t it?” Thanatos tilted his head, “You need to contact the witch of Ironwood. She-who-brings-sorrow. And you will find the answer you seek.”

-

The genasi’s ancestor, the God from which all this began, and evidently would end. It felt fitting, but the witch of Ironwood was a name less well known. Still, Dante knew it. “Then tell me how.” Dante pleaded, his tone uncharacteristically urgent. The dominos formed and fell but the genasi’s focus remained fixed upon the God of Death before him. Thanatos, scarcely heard or seen, but always there. The Greeks treated him like Hades, afraid to even utter his name for fear they might invoke him. A little of that fear might have done Dante some good, but power and success had made him arrogant - he’d come this far, hadn’t he? it wasn’t enough to walk away from this with a direction, he needed to know how to get in contact with a witch whose ability to hide herself from even the all-knowing, all-seeing, all father was unmatched. She birthed the monsters that would bring about the end of the world, if there was anyone who would know how to get in contact with their father then it was indeed her. But she would be just as elusive as Loki, if not more so. “Tell me how to find Angrboða. I will perform whatever task you set before me, I swear it.”

[dantexlykos]

enzoxcorsetti​:

-

Enzo did not bother himself with the thoughts of what would possibly come in the morning. He just went with the emotions, and the feeling of Dante’s body moving against his own. Every hard breath, every moan, he reveled in it until both of them found themselves at the mercy of Hypnos. He awoke with the feeling of a gaze upon him, eyes flickering open to meet the earth genasi’s. It wasn’t often that Enzo found himself in another’s bed, let alone all night, and he rubbed his eyes as Dante spoke. “Morning,” he echoed, sitting up now so he could gather his bearings. The genasi found that he didn’t really want to leave the bed, “I did say that,” he murmured, raising an eyebrow before a hint of a smile pulled at his lips. “But it seems you managed to change my mind, somehow.” Truthfully, this sight to wake up to – rumpled sheets and a naked Dante – wasn’t the worst thing that could’ve happened. Enzo found he was in no hurry to leave.

-

“I wasn’t complaining.” Dante said simply, there was little in his voice that revealed his feelings on the matter, and yet in lie of the dull emotionless delivery that the earth genasi normally dealt in. He spoke instead with a hint of urgency, because somehow it was important to Dante that Enzo know that he wasn’t in any way dismissing him. The night before had been... Fun. Thoughtless, maybe. But fun. Dante wasn’t sure if it could all be chalked up to a sort of afterglow from the ritual, or if it was a culmination of the tension that had been brewing between them for years. Perhaps a combination of the two. The rational part of his brain kicked in, and naturally Dante had started to think about what would come next. “So, what now?”

[dantexlykos]

enzoxcorsetti​:

-

There was truth in Dante’s words, and for an earth genasi to feel grounded, well, Enzo could understand that as well. The air genasi was one to go with the flow, to easily float from place to place, or in this case – from the arms of one to another. Dante had been one of those, yet they’d never truly been able to act upon what was between them. The spark was always there, yet no matter how the wind howled, the mountains would not bow to it. Now, however, they were seemingly unbothered. There was nothing there to tear them apart – at least in this moment – and Enzo found his body easily reacting the moment Dante’s hands pressed against his skin. Enzo gripped the back of the other’s neck, leaning into the kiss There were plenty of thoughts rolling through Enzo’s head, wondering if this was just them finishing it so they could move past this ridiculous desire that rested between them. Yet the air genasi’s thoughts floated away the moment he pulled Dante into the bedroom and used the wind to shut the door.

-

Wink Wonk Honky Tonk Enzo & Dante Both Got Da Bone

Morning light streamed through the open window as the smell of sex still lingered in the room and narrow spaces between them. Dante couldn’t remember when they’d fallen asleep, just the hard press of hands against skin, teeth that nipped playfully at lips, urgency that soon melted away for ease and passion. The people that Dante took to bed were practically always strangers, there for a few hours, then gone long before sunrise. He preferred it that way, but waking up next to Enzo was a different experience entirely. The earth genasi winced a bit as he rolled onto his side, only noticing now the finger like- bruises on his hips, the coarseness about his neck. His eyes drifted over Enzo’s frame as he marvelled at the way the air about the man seemed to still, like the dawn itself was holding its breath in anticipation for the other. Enzo wasn’t just attractive, every angle was perfectly carved with dark hair that even when absolutely disheveled still appeared intentionally set. 

But what did this mean? Truthfully Dante wasn’t sure what to ask, they’d obviously gotten carried away the night before. He wasn’t one to let moments run away with him, he was methodical, pragmatic, and everything he did was set with intention. Dante knew what he wanted to do, but he didn’t have a good track record when it came to the people he cared about. The air about them stirred and the breathing that Dante had quietly been listening to changed, “Morning,” the genasi offered, “you spent the night.” He thought to their conversation on the other’s boat a few weeks back before he jokingly remarked. “Thought you said you wouldn’t do that.”

[dantexlykos]

enzoxcorsetti​:

-

Enzo followed after Dante, the adrenaline still rushing through the air genasi’s system as well. He’d almost expected it not to work, like they would try it in vain, have a laugh, and all part ways. After all, not all genasi were great with one another, but they all seemed to work, especially with Valkyrie there to help. “Yeah – I can’t believe it actually fucking worked,” he huffed, rubbing his jaw a little as he smiled in response to Dante’s laugh. “Yes, it was…similar to earth, really. But I think it was just what he wanted me to see. Dark shadows that consumed everything, mixed with a never ending wind. I kind of liked it,” he picked up his drink, taking a sip before he looked at Dante once more, “And you? Don’t tell me that you had too much fun there. I’m still surprised it actually fucking worked for us.”

-

“I felt grounded, it was like... I don’t know, like going home but to a place I’d never been before.” Dante offered an explanation while the realm was uncomfortable at first it was also weirdly familiar. He was buzzing though, and the glass he’d just filled was already set on the counter next to him; Dante needed to be doing something with his hands, he needed to work. There was so much he’d taken away from the encounter with their patron, “I need to-” Dante looked around the empty space, Fenrir wasn’t here, neither was the shifter’s manticore, Iapyx. They were alone. Over a year ago they’d been interrupted before anything between them could ever really start, Dante had taken it as a sign but he couldn’t deny that right now he just wanted to drag his fingernails across Enzo’s skin - taste the magic that poured from his lips and curve it around the tip of his tongue. “I feel so unfinished, we- you and I.” Dante stepped in towards Enzo, “We’re unfinished.” Tonight was proof that however powerful they were apart, together there was nothing they couldn’t do. Dante was tired of over analysing everything, tired of putting painstaking thought into his every move and decision. For once he wanted to be like Enzo, he wanted to be like the air he’d felt pass over him during the ritual. Free and spirited, he wanted to blow in whatever direction he saw fit, unfettered, and see where he’d land. He pressed his lips to Enzo’s, firm and self assured as his hands curled into the front of the other genasi’s shirt so he could pull him closer. 

[dantexlykos]

@enzoxcorsetti​

The ritual had taken its toll, whatever magic Thanatos had worked through him had fallen out of his head but his limbs were heavy still. There was an energy that still cracked through the air though, palpable and damn near electric. Dante wanted to- he didn’t know but he wanted to but at any moment the genasi felt like he might just about jump out of his skin. A burst of laughter erupted through his home as he pushed open the front door and beckoned for Enzo to follow him inside, “That was-” the normally pragmatic man’s smile was bright, wide. While their patron had hijacked the ritual itself, it still worked. They called, and Thanatos answered. He was feeling powerful, unstoppable, and now in this moment Dante just wanted to celebrate. “that was fucking incredible.” He poured a pair of drinks and offered one to Enzo, one of his few true friends in the city. “What was it like for you, did he take you into his realm too?”

[dantexlykos]

@adcmgreen​

The ritual had been... A lot, and his magic had been exhausted after the fact. Thanatos had stretched each of them to their limits simply because he could, and the spell they’d ultimately worked to traverse realms, while lost to his memory was still dragging on him. Dante had little desire to see the other genasi again, save for one perhaps. For now he’d been content to sleep off the fatigue, pour himself over books, and document all that he had seen until his hands ached and he was satisfied. Adam had been good enough to invite the genasi over to his minimalist apartment, when Dante had recovered he made good of his promise to invite the human over to his own estate. The walls were lined with priceless art, designer furniture, and high-end electronics. Dante liked having things for the sake of having them, there was nothing minimal about him. Fenrir’s amazon packages had their own room in the house because Dante was tired of tripping over them. 

“Adam,” Dante greeted as he opened the door for the man. “it's been a while. I thought maybe you’d forgotten about me.” The genasi offered, remembering that the man didn’t drink. “You want anything, pop, coffee, tea- whatever?”

[dantexlykos]

enzoxcorsetti​:

-

Enzo chuckled under his breath before he followed after Dante, looking towards the mirror as well. He stood a little behind Dante, flashing a wink in his direction, “I bet you do.” The air genasi made his way towards the books, his gaze skimming over the titles until one caught his eye. He pulled it from the shelf, flipping through the pages, “Eir.” He stopped on a page, humming, “Not much known, but this is a start. A goddess or a Valkyrie, and you’re related to someone who could probably answer that question.” He closed the book, glancing at Dante now, “There. Fair trade, and I kept it in my pants.”

-

“You could always ask him yourself. He lives here.” Dante pointed out, he was sure that Fenrir would be thrilled to meet some of the genasi’s friends. Though the idea was kind of amusing, the original shifter was probably preoccupied with an amazon package somewhere. Or perhaps the manticore that had been shacked up with them recently. The genasi’s eyes flicked from the book to Enzo as a beat passed between them, “Good, now I’m bored. Lets get a drink.” 

[dantexlykos]

thxnxtcs​:

-

This genasi was Norse. A Valkyrie would have more effect over him, wouldn’t he? But no, instead, he’d spit in the face of Hel, who, ironically, could give him what he wanted as a genasi. It’s why Thanatos was interested in hearing all of them out, and he regarded Dante with a raised eyebrow. The fall of the veil had been a disaster for the Olympians, and it’d stopped Thanatos from doing his own job. There was only one god who could travel between worlds without the help of the veil, and he was not the one. “Your brother, lost to Persephone. A sister, still a very devout witch of Hel – a pantheon that isn’t mine. And yet here you are.” 

There was no judgement behind his tone, just a bored expression that wished to know what it was Dante exactly wanted from him. “I couldn’t stop the veil before; it was not my war. So what exactly do you want, child of Fenrir?”

-

A million questions raced through his mind but Dante knew that he would not be given the freedom to carry on forever, a time would come when his patron would draw this to a close. His reason for coming here had always been to find a way to sustain the veil, some spell to strengthen it or power to prevent it from falling again. There was also the question of immortality - a way to forsake Hel’s price of love for one that was easier to undertake. This was a rare opportunity and for all that he had been through and suffered, he knew of one who’d been slighted worse. Someone who had taught him forbidden spells and ancient magic, someone who had taken the place of the father that Dante had always wished he’d had. 

Pragmatically, the genasi’s tone held firm. His brow set he fixed Thanatos with a serious expression. “Thousands of years ago the Norse gods bound Fenrir in human form, chains of flesh and blood. I would ask you to tell me how to break him free of those chains.” 

[dantexlykos]

ladasokolov​:

It was clear to her that Dante picked up on her not-so-interested demeanor. Lada was usually so much better about hiding how she felt about certain things. Except when it came to her sister. There was a time where she depended on the other blonde more than anything else in the entire world. Her eldest sister had been the one person she could never want to hurt in her life. That had changed immediately as soon as the other had disappeared without a trace. There was no call, no nothing. And now here the other Sokolov was. In Corinth Bay of all places. She hadn’t worked up the nerve to talk to her, but it was something she had been thinking about for much too long now to put it off any longer than she already had. Lada looked over at Dante as he spoke. “You’re so romantic,” she stated with sarcasm laced throughout her tone. Luckily, he hadn’t been bogged down with thoughts of someone he even remotely liked. Or worse, loved. “A call, huh? Your god must be so ecstatic. What do you plan on giving him in return? I know these gods aren’t very giving without incentive.” She let out a sigh as she turned back to the tits. “My sestra. She’s alive.”

-

“I never mentioned anything about a God.” Dante reminded, there was no need to call Kenya out for it directly, instead the genasi would just chalk this up to Lada’s unparalleled detective skills. His gaze flitted back to the woman dancing at their table, whatever was bothering Lada was clearly big. “Hoping good old fashioned begging for help works. He already owns my soul. My magic. There isn’t much left I could offer him.” That was the deal he’d made when he performed Thanatos ritual: power for a price. Family drama, that was always the case wasn’t it? Corinth had a way of both bringing people together and then tearing them apart. “Vika?” Dante stated as his brow furrowed, Lada had told him all about her - a succubus just like her, except dead. He’d tried to bring one back this past year but had failed, instead Kaan came back from Tartarus as a manticore. According to Elias anyways. “She’s a manticore then?”

[dantexlykos]

julesbaccay​:

“I asked, didn’t I?” It’s a bit of a cheeky response, but he doesn’t think much of it. There’s a layer of protection to working with Dante. Not to mention, they both get something out of the relationship. Dante gets his blood for god knows what and he gets to learn something he’s wanted to do for years. Now he knows nothing including blood can be particularly innocent, but he is curious as to what his mentor is doing with it. There’s more to it than that too though, the other man is a bit of a mystery and getting to know him even just a little more might take away a couple of the sketchy vibes he still gets from him from time to time.

-

“I kill people and harvest their bones and blood for resources.” Dante deadpanned before his attention turned back from Julian to the piece that he was presently working on. It was impossible to tell if he was joking or not and while it was something of a lie, there was truth to his words as well. The genasi didn’t have friends, at least not many. Certainly none that he’d risk mixing business, magic, or pleasure with. Despite the fact that his magic was often a bit of both. “Book any clients yet?”

[dantexlykos]

thxnxtcs​:

closed starter for: Dante, Daphne, Saint, Maven, Enzo, and Freya

Thanatos’ realm was peaceful, and quiet. As death should be. An inverse of the land of the living, this place was empty and shrouded darkness marred by hard light. Every surface blurred at the edges, granular and fuzzy when focused upon for too long. It was here in the dark mockery of the Temple of Apollo that the God of Death observed his genasi and their little undertaking. He’d been aware of their intentions for some time and looked upon their individual offerings with only vague interest. They each threw out their ardent prayers and beckoned him forth, it was amusing, but Thanatos had long tired of the land of the living: it was too loud, too sharp, and too full of life that would inevitably pass through his realm. 

Their call might have gone unanswered but it had been over a thousand years since any genasi had managed to cooperate long enough to successfully call to him here, he was their patron and through them he had the power to heed their request - but he was not a dog that came at the toll of a bell. Through them Thanatos reached across the veil, manipulating their magic to pull them through into his realm. Separate from the passing of time as humans understood it, he was death, ancient and primordial. Thanatos had been present at the world’s first breath and would be bound here until its last, such was his place in the hierarchy of the Gods. 

“You’re either incredibly desperate, or incredibly stupid to risk summoning me.” Any sane person ran from death, not towards it. “So which are you, desperate or stupid?”

-

Immediately Dante could feel something was going wrong, a power took hold of him as an incantation fell from his lips that he’d never recall. Before long the genasi was pulled from where his feet had been firmly planted and everything went dark. When he awoke, it was to a world that Dante recognized only by shape alone - everything was wrong. The air was cold, the sky was dark, the edges of the stones appeared fuzzy as if he was looking at everything through a bright light. This was the temple of Apollo but also not, vaguely he could feel the presence of others - souls that were perhaps lost here, or trapped. There was no sound, no birds in the sky, and when Dante looked to the ocean he saw only a still wasteland of placid water. Thanatos voice would have been heard from anywhere, and though the God stood before him now he spoke and it echoed from all corners. 

“I-” Dante took offence, but he swallowed whatever pride threatened to regurgitate in front of the God who held the genasi’s power in the palm of his hand. “I lost everything when the veil came down.” Desperate, then. “I’ll do anything to make sure that never happens again.” 

[dantexlykos]

Tagging: Dante, Daphne, Saint, Maven, Enzo, and Valkyrie

Timeline: Early September 2021

Location: Temple of Apollo

Notes: Summoning Daddy

Trigger Warning: Blood and sacrifice

@daphneonassis @mavenlockwood @saintcorvin @vclkyric @enzoxcorsetti

Dante

Everything was set. The moon was in the right position and the witching hour was upon them. At the temple of Apollo where the veil was at its thinnest the genasi accompanied by Valkyrie gathered. With painstaking dedication the runes had been etched into the very earth, checked over by any who saw fit, the ritual was set to begin shortly. Their power was charged by blood and sacrifice and to reach Thanatos it would take an offering from each of them, a bit of their own essence would be shed in order for the call to succeed. The ritual was an invitation, designed initially for any spirit or creature on the other side of the veil, the purpose was to create a window so that they six may peer through to their guest without obstruction. Each had their own reasons for this undertaking, some wanted power, others sought redemption, but Dante’s own query was attuned to the preservation of the veil. His heart’s desire burned even deeper, but such a thing would not be possible if he had no magic to speak of. Dante’s runes were etched upon his split of the circle, an old Greek incantation fell from his lips as his power moved to meld with the other’s. Genasi were not known for cooperation, their personalities were the embodiment of their magic and too often there was conflict between them. Earth clashed with air but in this they had to work in synergy while also melding the temperamental power of fire and languid motions of water and shadow. A blade of silver reflected the light of the moon as Dante drew it across his palm and outstretched his hand over the circle, blood dribbled down and pooled through the crevices they’d made in the earth towards the epicenter. “Hear us Thanatos, daimon of peaceful death.”

Daphne

As one of the youngest genasi, Daphne felt great relief in the proximity to the sea and how easy she could harness the power from it. Just far enough in the distance to resemble a blue hue, but close enough to give her peace of mind. It wasn’t necessarily out of fear that she had concerns for it, but just having that added boost would help her greatly in the summoning. Necromancy hadn’t ended up being as natural to the water genasi as she had hoped, though many sleepless nights and advice from the fellow genasi, she managed to find comfort in her version of the spellwork. She held that very version in her left hand as the horizon of the meeting place came into her peripherals, the sea winds causing the corners to crinkle and make it harder to read. At this point, it was overkill to keep reading it and instead she shoved it into the same pocket as her ingredients. Veils of tonics and dried poppies clinked together as Daphne reached the temple, uncloaking herself from the darkness and into the dim street light.[3:28 PM]Boots crunched against loose gravel before emerging onto the familiar sight, noticing Dante had already begun to get things in order. It was fitting that the earth genasi had arrived early to the location and if it wasn’t for the sheer amount of focus, Daphne might actually be a little envious that it hadn’t been herself. Though now wasn’t the time for pettiness, which revealed itself in the water genasi’s expression as she got within the limits of the circle.  “I brought— ,” she began to state after giving a soft wave, then proceeded to pull the jar full of dried red petals and seed pods. There was more within the bag, but the moonlight only showed highlights of the items. A  spare butterfly, just in case, and had been one in which she raised herself. Along with a few swigs of bitter wine, some mandrake root, homemade incense, and snake skins Daphne found while out at the Onassis farmland. But before she could continue, the fellow genasi emerged in her sights and that meant the starting of the ritual. Soon she was repeating after the others, hazel eyes focused on the power surging within each of them as her own blood mixed in, “We are here to offer praise, Lord of Death, and seek your wisdom.”

Saint

It was no idle task, to summon a god. Saint arrived at the temple, guided by the draw of power beginning to swell under the fullness of the moon. The time had come, and it had required preparation on the spirit genasi’s behalf. Clothed in the colour of ink, he was a formidable presence as he stepped onto the dais. While the others were mostly strangers to him, as were their intentions, Saint recognized Dante from across from him, already mouthing the words of the incantation. He stood at full height now, and his pockets were empty of trinkets— a purposeful notion that caused his upper lip lifted in a sneer as he saw the doe-eyed water genasi place her flowers and animal parts as her offering. He saw such things as an insult, curving into his segment of the circle with ease, drawing runes in shadow before bringing forth his own offering. Blood was required, but for his part, he would also gift their god something more. It would be twin witches, one of the element fire and the other water stood behind him, gripped at the scruff of the neck by a scowling werewolf; who stood as dark and sharp as the shadows that bound their arms and covered their mouths. “My offering,” he announced, his voice lifting through the dark, gravelled and commanding. He lead the witches to the edge of the circle, and he murmured the incantation as he drew a long, slender blade along their throats. Pale skin drenched crimson, staining down the front of starched white nightgowns before it pooled at their feet, making its way down to the centre of the circle. Saint tossed them forward, before bringing the tip of the knife along his own palm, squeezing to add his own blood to the garish swirl. “We bring you these offerings, this sacrifice— to beckon you to hear our call.”

Maven

There's still a part of Maven that kind of thinks this idea is batshit insane, trying to reach out to the god that gave them this power without knowing what will happen. But at the same time, Dante had made it clear her magic would be necessary to make it work, and she cannot deny the fact of being curious; of wanting to speak to Thanatos herself. She's one of the last to arrive at the temple, it seems, eyes scanning over the other genasi already around warily. Dante and Daphne are familiar, even if only by acquaintance, but the other is entirely a stranger, and she cannot help but look for Toni. Maven reaches inside the small bag around her waist, pulling out the deep blue enchanted candles she's brought, before setting them around the marked runes and lighting them with her magic. "For communication," she says, in answer to a question no one asked. This magic is still a bit new to her, but hopefully, it'll make the line of communication clearer to reach between the genasi and Thanatos. Blood and candles and runes, just like the night she became a genasi. The thought is of small amusement, as Maven pulls out a blade and cuts along the edge of her palm, allowing her blood to mix with the others. "We your loyal servants, your chosen followers, make this offering and ask for your guidance."

Enzo

Enzo reminded himself why he was doing this. A shot at meeting Thanatos, on his back, over an alter – the air genasi wasn't picky. Brushing off the idea that he would come face to face with a god, he made his way to the temple alongside Dante. The newest genasi was present; the fire witch who'd survived a hell of an ordeal. He'd yet to meet her, though this seemed to be a good time as any. He didn't say much, waiting until Maven was finished before he was rounding out the ritual. It was dangerous and presumptive to call upon a god. Whether or not he would answer would be one thing, and Enzo wasn't exactly confident. It'd get the god's attention, and the spirit witch's offering was a little violent for his own taste, and he wasn't sure what kind of attention that would bring. His own offering was less than, it seemed, as he placed the wood carving down. It acted as a channeler, and he remained silent as he used a knife to cut along the palm of his hand, mixing in his abilities with the other's. The air genasi was unsure of his own goal. Was it immortality to protect a failing heart like his? Perhaps, but there were many problems within the world, and he had little to give. "In you, the end of nature’s works is known, in you, all judgment is absolved alone. No vows revoke the purpose of our souls. Thanatos, regard our ardent prayer."

Freya

Freya was uncertain if this ritual would go over well, or whether it would be successful — a God’s moods were wispy like the wind, and did not so easily bend. But she would be damned if she let the genasi do this on their own. If something went wrong, she could save them. And even if half of them weren’t exactly fond of her, she was ready to do that for any of them. And so she stood still as she watched Dante start the ritual with the earth full of whispers as it reacted to his magic. Then she watched fondly as Daphne continued, with the strength of the sea in her back. The spirit genasi who had come to the stables was next, earning a slight frown from her side, but she did not even bat her lashes as his voice filled the air. A young woman stood in the circle she had not seen before, the fire genasi who looked as if she would go up in flames should anyone come too close. Last was the air genasi, offering his blood to Thanatos. As they worked, Freya’s magic washed over theirs like a blanket, knitting it together, and balancing it out where it was needed. They were strong, and she was the one to bring it all together. She protruded a slim dagger to pull it along her palm, balling her hand into a fist as she turned it around to let her blood drop onto the carved runes. It was the last puzzle piece, and her voice carried on the air as the ritual ended. “Thanatos, I stand here vouching for those worthy of your power. Hear their prayer, and be their guide.”

[dantexlykos]

enzoxcorsetti​:

-

Enzo preferred the company of ghosts. Of harnessing spirits, the dead – it all thrilled him more than the idea of vampires. They were dead, but living at the same time, and way too much hassle for the air genasi to bother with. He preferred to be as far from tied down to anything, much like his element. He followed after Dante, though he nearly commented on the amount of amazon packages filling the other’s home. Ignoring it, he rolled his eyes, “That’d give you far too much pleasure, Dante. Didn’t know you turned into such a voyeur instead of someone who likes to participate.”

-

The basement led to anything of interest in the house, temperature controlled and lined with shelves of books, his workroom was below even this. In the corner stood a tall mirror that stretched from the floor to the ceiling and before Dante looked to Enzo he caught his reflection in it. “I participate plenty.” Dante said noncommittally, fully aware when he was being goded. “Look around, take your pick -” Enzo was one of the few, if not the only genasi that Dante cared much for. None of the others even knew where he lived let alone had access to any of his personal collection. He smirked. “try not to shoot off prematurely.”