Chapter 126: Shared Respect

Through this competition, Rachel had learned a lot about The System and these Seeds, as well as a lot about herself and other hidden things. She still couldn’t believe her mother had covered up the fact that she had a Seed or that she could speak to higher beings in general.

Her mom had never pushed her belief onto her or their family, but this was something different. Had she been scared to look crazy? No, that couldn’t be the excuse after Rachel had literally changed and told her everything. Had Scarlet’s blood—Veronica—been squeamish about entering her mother’s room because of Eostre or her mother?

She came into this Legend Quest expecting to fight, kick some ass, and then leave. But not this. So many emotions were now compounding in her heart. Still, a fire burned within her to push forward. She didn’t want to stop; in fact, she wanted to push harder because of it.

At first, Rachel looked for answers to her change. Then, it changed to discovering parts of her she’d kept buried, fighting goblins to the death in a shattered world that sought help from legends. Scarlet came next, and they entered a seemingly hopeless battle against alien toads that could turn into sand and easily rip her apart, only for Scarlet to show her power.

The little, terrified, shattered teenage girl had been possessed by someone she’d known all her life. Veronica then went on to claim total victory against impossible odds, further traumatizing Scarlet in the process. Poisoned and losing strength, Rachel had been forced to rely on others, especially Scarlet, as she weakened, pulling her toward an unlikely group of associates that had been surprisingly helpful... She’d almost died several times, and would have without their help.

Nearly collapsing due to organ failure, fighting through an unknown toxin, and pushing her ravaged body to the limit, she’d looked for answers, all while connecting with influential people in the government. She’d brought their attention to the higher field at play with the deities, which they then sought to put her to the test, sending her here when they faced Relica’s unusual powers.

Astra, Selvaria, Maria, and Scarlet had come into her life when Rachel would have never associated with any of them before The Oscillation. The Scarlet Hand was made aware of the fact that she was still alive. And now her paranoid mind was wondering how much of an effect the Scarlet Hand had in her life—could they have had something to do with her cousin’s murder? No, it was better to focus on other thoughts right now.

Her parents, whom she wanted to make proud, were her entire life. They’d shown up, and her mother had come to her on her knees, asking her to stop...but she couldn’t. Now, to uncover the truth that her mother not only had a Seed but was in communication with higher powers, just like her? How was she supposed to take that? Why wouldn’t she tell her?

It was more than the bloodlust of battle and conflict that she felt before. From this competition, she learned she was running both from something and to something. She might not have been human, to begin with. There was so much more uncertainty now.

All the compounding issues pressing in around her made a laugh bubble out of Rachel’s lungs, pulling Conner’s smile.

"All of this is kind of funny," he whispered, hands in his shorts pockets. "Real talk... I think this is where I die."

"You think so?" Rachel asked, finding her hands behind her back and looking up at the tall, handsome man. "You don’t look scared."

Pushing his lips out, Conner grunted and shook his head before sliding his fingers through his hair. "I’m not a good man, Rachel... Far from it, actually..."

He worked around his jaw and sighed. "All I ever wanted to do was gain the glory I was born to achieve... I knew I was destined for greatness, but something hit me in the chest when I got all the power I ever wanted. I became a legend!" he stated with pride, holding up a tight fist.

Conner’s laughter turned bitter and caustic. "The legend of Antaeus! A powerful figure who was known far and wide—infamous for his deadly wrestling skills... Perfect for me, since in the underground Greek wrestling world, I am exactly that, fully financially supported by the Scarlet Hand..."

Tongue pressing against his bottom lip, he popped it with a frustrated hiss. "Imagine that...like they were building me into this murdering showman of a wrestler for that very purpose. But do you know the funny thing about Antaeus, this powerful, divinely gifted, and legendary fighter? Do you know what he’s most famous for?"

Rachel shook her head. "What’s funny about the legend?"

"Hah..." Conner drew in his lips and took a second to respond. "For being—for being a stepping stone for Hercules. Antaeus is only built up to be the fodder to highlight Hercules’ wit and strength... He dies, as villains do. And I think...I’m your stepping stone." He laughed and nudged her, throwing Rachel off balance with ease and showing his incredible strength. "Do you know what’s even more hilarious?"

"What?" Rachel grunted, trying to shove back to test his sturdy Feats, only to find her momentum drained. "Damn, that Feat is annoying."

Voice dropping octaves with a reflective grin, Conner shook his head. "If only... No, what’s funny is that I think...I’m okay with being your first big stepping stone."

Rachel came to a stop, eyebrows pulling together as the man turned to study her. "You...want to die by my hand?"

"Pfft! When did I say want in there?" he snorted. Conner showed an appraising eye again while scanning her, but it wasn’t as licentious as before. "I was grateful for what the Scarlet Hand did for me. I’m one of those rare people that don’t give a damn about taking a life... But perhaps I do regret not living a better life to stand here facing you. What Level are you?"

Rachel smirked and shook her head; she wasn’t going to be baited into revealing that, but the legend surprised her again.

"Eostre, can you show Rachel my Level? I’m Nine. I know for a fact you’ve fought far stronger creatures than I have. Dionysus wanted to kill you, so it makes sense that if you overcame them, you’d have a lot more EXP, even if there is a cap our spirits can absorb. You did two Challenge Rating 3 battles... I didn’t do one."

True to his word, Eostre opened up a window, showing his Level: he was Level 9.

"Huh... Do you really want me to tell you?" Rachel asked, feeling almost obligated to return the act.

Again surprised at the legend’s almost serene cadence, Conner shook his head. "I can guess you’re probably at the same Level as Relica now. She pushed her spirit as hard as it would expand before coming here. I just wanted to say... I’m looking forward to our fight. Good luck, Rachel. Now, I need to plot how to murder you."

He lifted his hand and parted ways toward the city. "Oh, and if you do kill me... Just like Hercules, cement my legacy by becoming the greatest mythickin in history. That’s enough for me..."

Head tilting to the side, the wind pulled Rachel’s braid over her shoulder as she watched him go; Conner turned out to be more complex than she’d initially thought. He went from Relica and Dionysus’ party-boy lackey to flipping against them to join her, and now she had gained a modicum of respect for the legend, and he respected her.

What a competition this has been... Are you done, Nia?

"Nope! I’m getting all the goodies! I’ll be home in a minute. I got you a skort! You know, a skirt with shorts underneath? Sneaky-sneaky clothing!"

Hallelujah. Keep it up, Soldier.

Smiling, Rachel moved to the docks to sit on the end of a pier and meditate.

"Negotiation-Mode, Boss! I got some really cute accessories, too. You’ll love them. Bunny hairclips, friendship bracelets, scrunchies—the works! Not magical, though... Izanami’s being stingy."

Booooo.

"Yeah, booooo!"