I somehow eventually managed to get everyone sitting civilly on the couches in the room so we could discuss the situation properly. Trust me, it wasn't easy...
Zeus, Fire, Donny and Killian were all sitting across from me and Jacob. All of the men were glaring at each other and even though he wouldn't show it, I could see Jacob's aura and could tell that while he was confident in his strength, he was really really nervous because there was no way in hell he could take on two gods, a fire Phoenix and a werewolf.
He couldn't beat Zeus alone, let alone with 3 others.
Fire, I'm not sure who would win, it would probably be a pretty close match and he could probably take on the other two pretty easily.
Sometimes I really wish there were more girls with me. Don't get me wrong, I've got lots of friends who are girls but none of them could help or are part of this situation.
All I'm saying is right now I would really love another person who can still think clearly when angered.
"So... you're a god. I didn't think Gods would be such weak assholes." Donny decides to interrupt the silence with this apparently important statement.
Jacob scowled, letting out a low growl and Donny just smirked, crossing his arms.
I sighed, rolling my eyes.
"Zeus, obviously this is problematic, is there anyone else we can bring with us to see the person on earth?"
He shook his head and Jacob cringed a little.
"No, there's very few people who know the man personally and even fewer who know where to find him... Jacob is the only way."
I sighed, nodding my head while Donny growled.
"Look, Eclipse" Fire started, "You really don't have to do this. I can figure out another way to get my sister back. You don't need to sacrifice yourself for us, you barely know us. I can just-"
I cut him off by raising my hand and shaking my head.
"Stop it Fire. I said I'm helping so I'm helping. Deal with it."
He shut up and nodded his head.
Good boy.
"We're all just going to have to suck it up and I'm telling you all right now there will be no violence. If any of you start a fight I will kick you off the mission and send you home. We will act civilly and pretend we're one big happy family. Got it?" I asked, eyeing Donny.
They all nodded and after a few seconds Donny sighed, rolled his eyes and nodded too.
"Good."
"Not good." Zeus cut in and I almost screamed in annoyance.
"What?" I asked a little harsher than necessary. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, sending a shocked and scared looking Zeus a quick apology.
"I don't trust him to be around you alone and these doofuses aren't enough to stop him, so I'm coming too."
I sighed loudly rubbing my face.
This is just going to create even more tension and conflict, why!!
"No, Zeus I'll be fine. You should know by now that I can handle myself."
"Yes, you can. But you're also too nice for your own good and I'd feel better if I were there."
"Zeus, no. Please, its really not necessary. I just want to get this all over with."
Zeus put on a stern face and folded his arms.
"I'm not taking no for an answer. Either I come along, or no one goes. I own this kid's ass for the next few days while I'm training him so he has to do what I say."
Zeus put his foot down, daring me to say no again. I looked over to the others and could see reluctance written all over their faces. They were basically begging me to find a way out but I knew Zeus. He was older and wiser and stubborn as hell. We weren't going anywhere without him.
"Ya alright, fine Zeus. You win."
Zeus gave me a triumphant smile while the others, except for Jacob, gave me a look of dread, still pleading to leave him here.
I groaned and stood up.
"Well, lets not drag this out. Fire, you teleport Killian, I'll take Donny."
They nodded and we all paired off and teleported to the coordinates Jacob gave us.
We landed outside in a large sand dune in one of the sunniest places in the world.
"We are standing in Kolmanskop, a ghost town in southern Africa's Namib Desert, in the middle of a region known as 'the forbidden zone.'" Jacob filled the rest in with the information I already knew.
I had come across this place during one of my many runs, only passing by briefly on my way to one of the more populated towns.
It was June 23 2020, 5:00 and approximately 23 degrees Celsius.
It was only partly sunny, a few clouds lining the otherwise clear skies.
I sighed in content. closing my eyes for a second before I was thrown back into my annoying, unfortunate situation.
"ECLIIIIPSE" I heard Zeus whine from my right.
I turned over to him to see Fire, Donny and Killian sitting on his, about to push him down the dune like a sled.
Before I could intervene, Donny pushed off and they went flying down the sand, the three men yelling out in excitement as they barreled towards the bottom.
Not only had they somehow turned Zeus into a sled but they'd also left me up here, alone with Jacob who's eyes I could feel drilling into the back of my head.
Deeeeeep breaths. I said to myself before jumping into my tiger and down the gigantic dune in one huge leap.
The men all looked at me with wide eyes as laid down on the sound, relishing in the sun I never get to enjoy.
Jacob teleported down next to us as I quickly shifted back into my human form.
"Explain." I said reluctantly and they all started talking at the same time. I rubbed my temples shutting them all up and pointed to Zeus, silently asking him to tell me what happened.
"We - uh - made a bet. They bet I couldn't - uh..." He trailed off awkwardly so I turned to Fire who's face was as stoney as always.
"We bet him he couldn't keep his eyes off you for a full 5 minutes because he's always staring at you when you're not looking." Killian decided to fill in.
"He failed after 45 seconds." Donny added cheekily.
"So we rode him down the dune like a sled." Killian finished and I saw the faintest smirk resting on even Fire's face while Zeus turned red with embarrassment.
"I forgot and my eyes just accidentally went to you. Its not like I always stare at you in a weird way! I'm not a creepy stalker I swear!" Zeus exclaimed while the others snickered among themselves. I could even hear Jacob trying to hold back his laughter behind me.
I took a deep breath before looking them all in the eye, trying to hold back my anger as the shuffled on the spot.
"Hey. Stop it! Who do you think I am? Your mother? No! I'm not in charge of taking care of you!"
I screamed and they all seemed to shrink into themselves, even Jacob behind me shuffling nervously. But this didn't stop me from continuing.
"How DARE YOU make a bet and not let me in on it!! I would've loved to ride Zeus down the mountain like a sled."
Donny flinched, looking down, knowing he was the one I was most disappointed in.
"I-I'm s-sorry." He mumbled and I nodded.
"Don't let it happen again." I said, my voice a warning and he quickly nodded.
"Good."
"Why? What are you going to do about it? You're not the boss of us!" The usually quiet Killian decided to pop in.
Oh, its coming for him.
Suddenly I was in my tiger form and sitting on top of him.
The others were laughing, Donny taking a picture while Killian just hit my ass, trying to push me off while he punched as much as possible.
I got annoyed and looked at him bored. I lifted one of my giant paws, placing it on his face, effectively shutting him up.
Then it hit me.
Ah shit we're on a mission!! This is going to take way longer than anticipated...