Schrodinger was lost for words after hearing everything from the start: a proclaimed opponent who is the very enemy they are sworn to destroy, "And you won?" He asked as the pair of them continued to traverse through the forest on this beautiful morning.
Nodding his head, "barely," he answered truthfully, "for the first time, I never had imagined myself having someone equally match me in both strength and power, the sensation of knowing the fact that my actions or desires hold a great power and authority over everything else had been broken ever since he showed me the truth of it," revealing his true thoughts to the cat walking just beside him.
Curious at the response, "He's dead, isn't he?" The white cat inquired of this supposed fallen god whom Janus had defeated, "That means our journey of destroying him is over." A beaming smile formed on the cat's lips, showing he was glad to hear the news.
However, Janus shook his head in disagreement. "Not quite," he responded as he then elaborated further, "he and I can't die; he told me that prior to the final confrontation," was now the reason that had made Schrodinger greatly confused at hearing such a notion.
"What are you saying?" Asked Schrodinger, unable to get a proper grasp on this subject, "You are implying that neither of you didn't win the battle at all?" Noticing how uncertain Janus sounded at the moment, he wondered if he had made the right choice by expressing his own celebration prematurely.
Looking up at the blue sky with moving clouds passing by, "I beat him yes, but to outright destroy him in every aspect is an impossible feat." Janus then lowered his head and looked towards the ground while walking side by side with his trusted companion. "He told me that neither of us can truly die before the prophecy comes to fruition," an answer that displeased the horrified cat.
"I should have known better," Schrodinger exclaimed out loud in clear irritation of his own misjudgment. "Why was he there to fight you anyway?" Trying to make sense of things, he was hoping the man might have some ideas to enlighten him further.
Stopping at his tracks, causing the other to also do the same, Janus took a moment of thoughts before answering. "It was likely meant to serve as a message," he informed, "or Cthulhu was really just testing my abilities," explaining in the most reasonable tone he could muster. He then added, "regardless, we are still bonded by this destiny that has been brought to me and you."
A moment of silence went by as Schrodinger took the time to fully process everything he had learned. "Cthulhu..." Eyes narrowed at the name: "That's the name of this entity who is meant to destroy the world?" He asked with the intention of confirming that he was not mistaken with the name.
Shrugging his shoulders, "I'm not sure," admitting his uncertainty about the situation, "maybe that is his real name, maybe he was lying all along, or maybe he was just a random person; I can't ever be sure with that sort of thing," Janus expressed, seeming he didn't even know whether or not his opponent was truly what he said he was.
In his own deep thoughts, he decided it was best to just continue their own merry way rather than ponder further into an unsolvable puzzle. "No time for second guessing now," Janus finally said before his companion followed suit as the two walked again. "What's done is done; we have more pressing concerns to attend to instead of worrying ourselves with the unknowable and trivial matters such as Cthulhu's revelation."
Still, Schrodinger knew that this was an extremely troubling revelation. However, it wasn't his place to decide what was true or false because he wasn't there to witness the fight in the first place. All he could do was trust the man's words; after all, the god of time had saved him before.
As they walked further through the forest, it became a matter of time before they finally reached the feudal town of Ulthar, a place inhabited by no one other than cats and other visitors. Whether it was a dream or real life, the place is known as a sanctuary for all.
Exiting the woods, Janus and Schrodinger found themselves moving through the crowded streets of the town while many passing cats showed hostility towards them, especially the Roman god, who was confused by the number of uneasy stares he was getting.
"What's wrong with them?" Quietly whispering to Schrodinger, "They seem to be more unfriendly than the last time I first visited here," finding it odd to see the cats that are normally friendly seemingly want his blood all of a sudden, "do you know what they're mad at?" Asked the confused and lost deity to the feline.
With a stinky eye staring up at him, he asked, "What do you think, genius?" Schrodinger immediately hissed in response, clearly indicating that he held Janus responsible for the angry glares he's getting. "They knew it was you who made that mess," he informed in a disapproving tone before continuing his sentence, "you practically almost killed them, remember?"
Gulp and regretful display became visible as Janus' expression saddened, knowing he had done a horrible thing to these creatures, even if it were a terrible mistake. "Didn't I fix everything?" He asked a question to try and ease the guilt he was feeling, but the white feline only shook his head with disappointment.
"You may have brought back the forest and no one had died, but your actions still left a sour impression on all my kin who witnessed what happened that night," sadly informing Janus, "from what I heard, many had already expected it to be your doing." He continued on much to his companion's guilt.
He made a fatal accident, he knows, but not once did he intend it to happen that way. Perhaps he does, although he is starting to show remorse for it at least. "What can I do then?" Accepting the responsibility of his actions, "How can I make it up to them?" Asked Janus, hoping to redeem himself in some way.
Considering his question, "You can't," not seeing anyway to solve this, "at least not as you are now," Schrodinger admitted with honesty, "once we are out of town, why don't you think about what you should do from there on?" Suggesting an idea to his partner.
After considering the options, the very idea of being a shining knight in armor was a fool's errand, and he knew better to even call himself one. And he's no moralist, either, as he won't even pretend to care about anything outside his circle. Although, things seems to have changed since everything that happened with his encounter to his equally match opponent.
Its like a switch turned on him. Probably, empathy, as he mentioned before. Long before he arrived, he'd rather walk away and leave the problem for someone else to handle, but it's different this time. But Why? Janus had thought tiredly, remembering all the way before his imprisonment that he did not have a shred of remorse over the injustices that plagued the world at large.
Or his just overthinking too much, trying to be human or mortal is not really proactive of his time, as he himself isn't even one to begin with. He is a living, breathing god that has existed since the beginning of all things and the end as well.
However, he can't stop himself from at least comprehending the feeling to care for another, and for a moment, it occurred to Janus that perhaps it would also show a sign of weakness in a way to acknowledge that he was indeed feeling guilt. Still, he couldn't keep ignoring the boiling emotions inside of him.
Sooner or later, he would have to make difficult choices and sacrifices, and it would be foolish for him to always be righteous when there are things in the world that require man to perform necessary evil for the sake of logical reason.
"Seems someone's down," Culsans's voice rang within his hearing. "Looks like you are in need of some advice," offered the voice, trying to help his host in his time of confusion and doubts. "How about I offer you something that could be considered a lesson to you from ancient times, hmm?"
Thinking about it for a moment, "I would not mind that," Janus said in a whisper, "if it helps me solve my predicament," accepting his offer for aid, although he's still uncertain of what would happen afterwards. "Go on ahead."
"Well then, listen closely—amigo, friend, buddy, pal, comrade, associate, relation, ally, confidante, consociation, colleague, chum, neighbour, brother, inmate, fellow, acquaintance, well-wisher, supporter, adherent, admirer, abettor, sympathizer, devotee, disciple, follower, pupil, student, disciple, votary, partisan, servitor, groupie, group member, coterie, fan, worshipper, adorer, follower, convert, aficionado, addict, sycophant, zealot, yesman, toady—"
"YES, YES, YES! I UNDERSTAND! GET TO THE POINT!"
Saying his words outloud, exasperated by the tedious introduction while not understanding the need to know these ridiculous terms from the lexicon, as they are nothing more than glorified titles that some individuals think too highly of themselves to be associated with.
The bystanders around him stopped and stared as the surprised Schrodinger looked at him in shock; many shared the same look as well. The others appeared to be more cautiousness of seeing a possibly person yelling at no one in particular.
"Are...you okay?" The slow, yet confused tone of the white cat's voice snapped him back into reality, prompting him to turn his attention back to Schrodinger's bewildered gaze, who seemed to be somewhat concerned by his sudden outburst. "I think we need to have a talk."
Waving his own hand in front of him, "I am fine," he said hurriedly before resuming his walk, forcing the rather questioning Schrodinger to just get back to whatever he himself was doing earlier, although he was still looking at his companion suspiciously out of the corner of his eyes.
Janus sighed, shaking his head and rubbing his forehead, "no good at all," acting as though someone had been standing in front of him instead of a wall. He lamented, "You planned this, haven't you?" I was mentally cringing at this embarrassing moment.
A cruel laugh erupted within his thoughts: "Oh ho ho, well, I do try!" Culsans teased in a smug, sarcastically mocking tone of voice, "It was hilarious seeing that expression of yours, Chum," still laughing in great humor as a result.
This had made Janus immediately clench his fist harshly, tightening the pole of his spear with such strength that the grip would have already started to crack and fracture if it weren't for the fact that he was still in control of his emotions. "Do that again, and I will delete your entire being across all of existence and time, he threatened with firm, deadly cold, clear, and icy calm, causing the laughter to fade away in mere seconds.
He then received a small whimper from the bothersome voice, "s-s-sorryyyy...." Nervously apologized in a timid and trembling tone, making Janus feel satisfied by his accomplishment as he slowly walked with renewed purpose and dignity while trying not to be reminded of his embarrassment from earlier.
"Don't listen to him," coldly said Vesta. "He's nothing but a pathetic worm who can't even wash his own back in the shower," she said with slight disdain, insulting the host's alternate identity in an attempt to cheer him up while sounding as though she is offended by the action.
Satisfied with hearing this, Janus thought of it as a reminder that he is not alone in this conflict. "Thanks for that," feeling less anxious than before, he gave a relieved sigh before the pair of them stopped in front of a building he had never seen before.
"This is the place?" Janus, observing every detail of the establishment he stood in front of, "seems nice to look at," politely giving his opinion without much expectation from the interior of this building as he continued to wait for the cat's answer.
Looking at the exterior of the building, Janus notices that it is made of a mix of materials, including stone, glass, and metal. The front door is made of heavy iron as the sight of having bars on the windows were noticeable to their very eyes. On the other hand, its walls were also decorated with faded murals depicting ancient battles along of its roof being topped with a weather vane.
Its sight almost reminded him of Rome in a strange way; he can't place a finger on it again, but it has to do with the nostalgic feeling that he was experiencing for some reason, although he tried to push those feelings aside after his companion finally answered.
"Yes, it is," bluntly answering the question, "ready to go in?" Schrodinger said without much emotion, now staring at him with an anticipating, neutral gaze. "Because this isn't about me, it's about you," resulting in Janus frowning deeply at this particular sentence but deciding to put it to the back of his mind for now.
"Fine, let's just get this over with already."
