Chapter 101: Massacre, 1521 CE

As the moon shines brightly on the city of Tenochtitlan, the city itself was burning. Crimson red could be seen everywhere, the ground shook as statues fell, screams of men, of women, of children echoed through the sky.

A thick fog from smoke and blood formed because of muskets. People ran to the jungle around, trying to save their own lives. Moans of pain were heard, as Spanish men raped little girls and women, plundering every house they could see.

It was a bloody sight. Sersi watched it with a pale face, Druig’s expression was full of rage, yet he was calm, he was the best at calming himself.

Meanwhile, Pluto was always at Thena’s sight, watching over her as she battled the last of the deviants. He was anxious, he knew what was coming, and he kept his watch.

They were now walking towards a side of the jungle, stones scattered everywhere as the city fell slowly but surely. Ajak was waiting with Phastos and Druig, watching out for the others.

“Where are the others?” asked Ajak to Makkari, who had just arrived.

“We had to split up.” answered Makkari. “It’s chaos out there, we saved some people along the way.”

Ajak nodded, waiting patiently for the others.

Meanwhile, Phastos opened a map using his powers, a hologram of earth was floating on the air, where all the Eternals could see.

“That should be the last of them.” commented Phastos. “With that, our mission is done.”

“Feels… empty, isn’t it?” added Sersi. “Our mission ended… just like that.”

“After almost 7000 years of travelling… we’re finally done.” smiled Gil, resting below a tree. “Now, we wait for the command to go home.”

Ajak nodded sadly, carefully eyeing Pluto in the corner, who was with Thena at all times.

Sounds of screams suddenly arrived at the scene, Druig quickly turned at the source, he saw Spanish men, running down the native americans with muskets and swords, not caring about whether it was men, women, or children.

Druig walked towards them, against Ajak’s advice. He looked disappointed, then rage, then disappointed again.

“All that death….” he murmured. “All of it could be prevented…”

“Druig, we don’t interfere in their wars…” Ajak whispers.

“I’m tired of your words Ajak.” refuted Druig. “We don’t interfere in that… we don’t interfere in this… what is our mission really? Are we really helping these people thrive if we let them kill themselves like this huh?”

Druig eyes glow golden, but Ajak touched his shoulder, stopping him.

“Don’t.” Ajak said sternly.

“This isn’t war, Ajak. It’s genocide.” Druig murmured. “Everywhere we go, we encounter this… Carthage, Gaul, by the crusaders, by the mongols…”

Druig then focused his eyes on those muskets, those thick smokes that covered the jungle…

“And now… their weapons made it easier to commit even more genocide.” added Druig, he then turned around to see Phastos, who was also frowning at the scene. “Is this your target Phastos? Making them kill each other using technology?”

“I have told you many times, Druig. Technology is part of every sentient species’s evolutionary process, I cannot stop them from developing… weapons.” defended Phastos calmly.

“You can’t stop it, but I can.” refuted Druig, he eyed Ajak. “It’s just that some godly beings don't allow me to.”

Meanwhile, Thena was staring at the running Aztecs calmly. She had no expression whatsoever, her face leaking cosmic energy.

“Thena, let’s get away from everyone right now.” whispered Pluto worriedly as he escorted her away from the fighting Phastos and Druig.

As the two kept bickering, Pluto kept dragging Thena away, her face pale, leaking with cosmic energy.

Then, her eyes turned white.

“It’s too late.” she announced flatly, making everyone look at her. “Everyone is going to die.”

“No one’s going to die, Thena.” whispered Pluto softly. “It’s okay, let’s just get away from them.”

“Pluto, what’s going on with Thena?” asked Sersi, worried about Thena too.

“It’s fine.” smiled Pluto. “It’s fine, I’ll take care of it.”

Meanwhile, Ajak frowned. “Everyone, get away from them quickly!”

Thena then suddenly conjured her sword, and tried to slash Pluto.

Pluto clenched his fist, and grabbed the sword with his bare hands, waves of force pushed the leaves around them as he did that.. “Thena, stay calm… it’s me…”

Thena’s eyes wavered a bit as Pluto said that, but it quickly went back. She conjured another sword, and tried to stab Pluto with it.

Pluto just grabbed the other sword, and absorb its cosmic energy. “Thena, please, calm down.” murmured Pluto. “I told you, those episodes are a sign of something… but you didn’t listen…”

Thena then headbutt Pluto, but it didn’t work, instead, Pluto just hugged her, trying to incapacitate her that way.

Pluto’s eyes glow orange, he used one of his rings. “Thena, calm down, it’s me, Pluto.” he smiled, caressing her cheek.

Her eyes wavered once more, she stepped back a little bit, confused on what just happened. But then, her eyes turned white again, and he kicked Pluto towards the tree, knocking him away.

“Pluto!” screamed Sersi. Thena then dashed towards the nearest people she could find, which was Phastos, and she stabbed him in the stomach, hurting him.

Pluto quickly stood up. His eyes turned orange once more, and he conjured a spell. “I’m sorry Thena, I’m putting you to sleep for a little.”

He murmured an incantation, and specks of orange dust entered Thena’s nostrils. Thena’s consciousness wavered, and she dropped down on the ground, leaving the wounded Phastos alone.

Pluto sighed as he walked up to her unconscious body. He knelt beside her, and caressed her cheek gently. “I told you, you stubborn fool.”

Ikaris then dropped down from the sky, confused from the sight. “What just happened?”

Ajak just smiled sadly at the others. “Let’s find somewhere safe first.”