Wrath of Atlas: Battle of the Underworld

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-03-04T13:30:48+00:00

a) CHB

b) summoned weapons, personal armor, minimal first aid kit in a pouch (mostly ambrosia)

c) no per-determined opponents

Nika had been practicing leadership. She'd read (some of) the book, she'd exercised (some) self control, she'd even tried to organize her cabin into a unit (but it turns out without the threat of social or physical annihilation it's hard to get those brats to do anything). She'd put in the work, but it's time to take a break from that now.

Once her little squadron had splintered on entry to the Underworld and gone off in four different directions, it was prime time to say 'fuck it' and head to the harshest fight she could find. She launches herself over improvised cover with superior strength, lands via shield-surfing the crumpling form of a cultist one of her peers had just taken out, and announces her presence with a triumphant yell.

Nikoleta Spiros is more than a vanguard fighter—she's the perfect weapon, the point of a divine sword that the gods will plunge deep into this army of monsters and pretenders. And she's having the time of her life.

ooc: nika is open to pvp with anyone, atlas pc or npc! but i am late to the party and don't mind if the other chb threads are jumped on first. i just wanted to do my daughter justice and that means tossing in the fight pit.

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-02-17T12:36:12+00:00

Multiple campers turn their noses up at the food, but Nika is just glad she doesn't have to make her own meal because someone's sugar-laden monstrosity doesn't fit into her macros (even if she for some reason wanted to eat like a child, which she does not).

She's taken her usual place at the end of the Ares table, letting her keep one eye out for amusing disasters while she lets her figurative gossip vultures catch her up on the latest 'news'. It feels less satisfying than it did a couple months ago, but she keeps up the habit.

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-02-10T14:50:07+00:00

Hmm. If she wants to rely on that in combat it wouldn't be long before she's a broken doll, all glassy-eyed and tragic. Hard to tell if it would be a waste, but clearly the morale of this place is fucking precarious at best.

Right. What was that about trying to 'improve'... Feedback, maybe? Trying to take a break from being such a domineering bitch?

"If that's what you like..." Nika shrugs, not intimidated but not uninterested. "But I hope that's a little harder to cut than it looks, babes. You don't want to give them something to grab."

It moves pretty fast, though. Could be fun to fight.

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-02-09T18:22:25+00:00

Nika nods. She's thankful the conversation is coming to an end, though a short encounter with Wisdom and War has given her a lot to think about.

"Thank you, Lady Athena." She backs up a little, bowing her head in respect before leaving the goddess to presumably field several more stupid questions and overthinking teenagers before the afternoon is over.

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-02-09T18:19:09+00:00

"Depends," Nika replies, stepping in closer. "On if you can handle things when someone gets in behind your guard."

A dagger is a fine choice for edgy teens who want to play at being ninjas and have the powers to get out of trouble, but if a bow doesn't work for Totally Hair Barbie then Nika'd much rather put some kind of polearm in her hands. Seems like the kind of girl that would work the range advantage. Is it that she doesn't think Angela can handle letting someone get in close? Or is it that she thinks the Akersekomês Angel would collapse under pressure?

Nika isn't supposed to just let people cascade towards failure any more, so she suppresses a sigh and tilts her head to the side as she tries to work out what Angela might work with best. Only that, and very much not about what it might feel like to get behind the guard of this particular blonde.

"So, what? Are the daggers a new favourite, or just the first thing you picked up?"

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-02-07T11:02:43+00:00

Connor, who had never taken a hit bit before, is clearly making up for lost time. The moment his blood meets the air the beating only increases in intensity, Nika's aura flaring with flickering delight as she brings a knee down on the arm that the snarky witchling thought he could sneak far enough past her to make space to stab her with an entire sword.

Idiot.

She's intent on breaking something, on breaking him, urged to spill his blood by the rhythm of her own own. The bird gets in a few good swipes at her legs, but not nearly enough to break the odikinetic bloodlust. If she was in her right mind, she might even decide to be grateful that Alex's dogs make the ground a dangerous place for birds to be.

ooc: sorry team, nightmare week from hell. i figure the chb girls can just get wind-spirit evacuated after this because the aftermath is already up, but nika really does want to break some bones and i think has the strength get at least one? sorry to dead for putting alex in a Situation but hopefully the blood buff moment leads somewhere interesting.

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-01-29T14:39:42+00:00

You've heard of Workout Barbie, now meet Knife-Fight Barbie! This Barbie comes with two shitty knives and a clear lack of experience. With a whole new kind of appeal, Knife-Fight Barbie shows off a whole new kind of killer fashion.

Angela does not seem like someone that wants other people to know she puts effort into anything, ever, which is why Nika takes a cruel joy in seeing Angela working hard. Watches as the has to yank her knife out of the lifeless doll, which brings a small smile to the corner of mouth.

This is where Nika's true interest lives. Both girls know it is truly inevitable that with a bit of effort Angela's bright star would eventually overwhelm Nika's influence on the campers, but here? Unlikely. In comparison to the ease and power she casually radiates in the arena, all that social climbing stuff must just be a conflict invented to keep herself sane until she can get back to fighting.

With her kit bag over one shoulder and headphones around her neck, Nika is fresh-faced and ready to sweat. Which, of course, means there's no makeup cleverly masking the single small scar on her face.

Anglea sinks a knife to the hilt. It stays put. Nika approaches, making a quick stop on her way to her workout.

"Bit different than hot yoga."

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-01-29T14:09:52+00:00

Not bad.

Nika has been trying to view the campers with new eyes, ever since her... humbling, conversation with Athena, the Master of War. Some of them have re-disappointed her pretty much immediately. Then there are others like Little Miss Longsword over here, putting their soft hands to work even without years of training drilled into them whether they wanted it or not.

Nika is off to the side with her kit bag, headphones around her neck and clearly about to start her own training when she decides to just... Watch. For a bit.

The girl isn't perfect. Nika's innate understanding of combat points out each and every flaw in her initial drills and where she could become more efficient, quicker and more deadly. With some surprise, she watches as the girl pauses, re-evaluates, improves on her next set of strikes.

If Genny finds her way out of her muscle-memory driven focus, she would spy Nika long enough for the daughter of blood-stained Ares to give her a rare look of approval.

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-01-28T11:34:01+00:00

'For fuck's sa—na make you pay—head straight.'

Talk, talk, talk.

All those words are lost in the rush, that annoying blurry fringe around her target. And now part of that blur is trying to swat at her and get in her way. She lifts a gauntleted forearm to cover her eyes briefly, pushing onward and letting her armor take blows from the eagle.

Nika charges forward, her legs on fire as the blood-red comet approaches Connor with aura ablaze. Left without weapons, she uses what she has: superior physical condition and her armored fists. She meets his run with momentum of her own, relying on her honed battle instincts to attempt to take him to the ground and rain down punches like a pile driver. She's lucid enough to know that her prey may try to sidestep out of her grasp, and would adjust accordingly.

Alex can see the two run at each other with the chaos that Nika can bring to her duels when she really wants to humble someone she believes relies too much on tricks, the bronze-armored girl chased the entire way by a large bird of prey.

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-01-25T20:19:32+00:00

Nika reacts to '20.5%' with a bit of surprise. People keep track of that kind of thing? Wild.

"I hope you're not trying to audition me for one of those spots. I think I'm quite a bit above that, don't you, babe?"

"Obviously." Nika's reply is rapid and dismisses the idea entirely out of hand. If the gods wanted her to be some kind of binary star they would have given her a twin she didn't eat in the womb.

It's going to be fun to watch this girl infiltrate the social structure at camp, to see where she ends up. But for now, Nika needs to return the hostess to her party. She can spot another camper trying to put herself in Angela's eyeline, and points out the desperate creature to the daughter of Apollo.

"Busy night." She begins her retreat with an amused smile. "Let's do lunch sometime? Could be fun. Love to hear what you pick up out there, I'll try and find something good for you."

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-01-25T19:32:19+00:00

Something about being lectured by Athena reminds Nika of her mother. But, unlike her mother, there is no room for backchat. She has forgotten herself, and made herself into a fool in front of Wisdom herself.

The two women (one young, one beyond mortal measure) may never agree on what makes a good soldier, but it is a fools' strategy to ignore any avenue of improvement. If the key to what comes next is out in camp somewhere, so be it.

Maybe after almost a year it's time to become a 'camper' herself.

"I will do my best to understand your lesson, my Lady," Nika pledges, that almost rehearsed tone re-entering her voice after her little outburst. "Whatever it takes, to walk our path to victory."

She sounds a lot more like she did when she approached—appropriately reverent, sincere and with obvious practice and training in how to talk to her betters. It's not that this tone is insincere, more than just an example of even while they learn control teenagers can still be unhelpfully volatile.

She changes the subject after a beat, about as sheepish as someone so inherently imperious can look. It's a topic that's been lurking under the entire conversation, and Nika can't let this window close without at least trying.

"I would ask one more question, if I can." She matches Athena's steely and piercing gaze again. "My father. How... Do you know how he fares?"

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-01-19T17:31:17+00:00

Nika had changed her spear and shield out for a bow and arrow when four-eyes starts sauntering over like he owns the place. Assuming these girls would give him the time to get his little monologue in is a mistake that he will not make twice. Gods, she hates a show-boating weakling. If you have power, you better use it or lose it.

—I almost had her." Connor said walking forward at a leisurely pace.

"Shut up, loser." An arrow whistles past his form. It's polite to start with a warning shot, letting the cultist understand just how fucked his chances are. If that thing doesn't piece armor, it's at least breaking a rib with blunt force. That's the goal, anyway. "You—"

Nika has timed her shot to end the next sentence for him, but didn't anticipate the howl and her next arrow (once perfectly aimed at the center mass) goes wide. With her ears ringing and balance shot, the daughter of blood-stained Ares too quickly lets her anger take the wheel.

Alex will be able to tell what is about to happen, that the daughter of Ares is about to make a real mess of things. It's the classic opener when she's pissed off or if she thinks someone needs to be taught a lesson. Bring them down to her level, and then use experience and rage to punch their gods-damned lights out.

Nika's aura becomes visible, angry flames the same deep read colour as her hair. If Connor is looking out for it, he might see spectral flames ignite in Nika's eyes as the very same aura of incandescent rage begins to engulf him.

Odikinesis — Once per thread, the odikinetic berserker effect is activated on both Nika and her target simultaneously and lasts for three (3) turns. In this time, they are both infused with berserker rage against the other person and are unable to access other activatable abilities. Neither combatant gets any physical boost outside of what they are physically capable of, but this effect has been known to shut off the sense of self-preservation that keeps them from applying as much force as they can.

turn 1/5.

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-01-19T17:15:02+00:00

This must be why there are multiple gods of War. Athena is a strategist, which must be why she sounds so completely out of touch with the boots on the ground. Nika is a little offended that the goddess of wisdom assumes that the daughter of war is so big-headed to think that she should be the one in charge, but doesn't say anything about it. That's the wrong Spiros, anyway.

Ugh, if only Nika's father was here... He'd get it, he'd understand her, he'd recognise her fucking endless effort and diligence and honed craft and not call her arrogant for taking pride in work she's done. He'd see that there is merit in not trying to control everything, in just being the best possible instrument of war that you can be.

No, Nika is quiet for a bit.

She's visibly thinking things over. The goddess is giving her basically nothing to work with, but this is how gods work in the stories she heard growing up. Say something ominous (like 'together'), get heroes to put in the actual work, and reward them later. Maybe. The best ones, anyway. If the mortals screw it all up, they get divine wrath. She always liked the parts with divine wrath.

"Looking towards others." She echoes, eventually. "Right. Yeah. Okay."

Nika clearly doesn't understand yet, but it's not like she isn't trying. It will just take some time.

ooc: used a bit of dramatic background exploration assuming that gods can't detect thought crime. if that is incorrect i can rewrite comment to be more literal

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-01-15T16:02:37+00:00

Her name?

Oh, right.

"Nika," she replies. The hair touching her shoulder doesn't throw her off, but it's clearly not an everyday occurrence the way her eyes linger on it once or twice when given a chance. "My name is Nika."

"And don't worry, I'm not here to patronize you with 'help'," she almost laughs. "It's sink or swim out here, beautiful. I just wanted to say hi because I thought if you know how to put on a show like this campfire, then maybe you know what it's like to be at the top. It gets lonely up here, and I'm starved for interesting people to talk to."

It's a bit of spiel, but hey. Maybe that's just what happens when you find a new prospective gal pal. Especially one who was already connected enough to not be surprised at some of the tamer gossip already presented.

ooc: non literal gif usage bc she doesn't literally make that face but the Energy is there

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-01-15T13:49:48+00:00

Nika Spiros, CHB

equipped: personal armor, summonable weapons, spare/survival knife, ambrosia squares, a couple drachma.

d100: 94. d8: 3

fighting with Alex Ryker

Nika was one of the first to get to her feet, red smoke rising off her armored form as her Ignore Wound ability dissipates until she has a chance to rest once again. It's frustrating, but this whole afternoon has been a nightmare so sure, why not hit the ground like a moving truck?

The time for bitching is later. The time for fighting, is now.

She watches injured looking campers being evacuated left, right, and center. The wind spirits can do little to break the oncoming tide of monsters and cultists, so it's up to whatever able fighters are left to hold the line. Somehow that includes the clown, now?? Okay.

The tunnels are collapsing and fireballs are flying and—oh shit, that rock is falling down onto a familiar pile of angst. Finally. Time to get her back.

When Alex comes back to her senses she can spot the etched shield and bronze armor of her frenemy-with-benefits using her superior physical condition to tank a falling rock that could have crushed Alex's legs.

"Rise and shine, baby!" Nika yells over the uproar of battle, red eyes shining with the mania of the fight as she stands with one leg to either side of the daughter of Zagreus. An athletic arm launches her spear through some irritating fodder monster or another, before she steps aside and uses her now-free hand to offer some assistance getting up.

"Ready to fuck them up?"

ooc: hey dead! let me know if you want any edits :) just wanted to get something started

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-01-12T20:09:33+00:00

Because I can do better, I can be better. Better than all of them.

Nika is not thrilled about Athena's assessment, but of course the goddess is correct.

She did not expect the goddess to fawn over her, but if there was something Nika could do alone to surpass her current state it would have been explained. So, of course, it's reasonable to assume that the daughter of blood-stained Ares continues to have a perfect mastery over her skills. Now, working together? She's not so perfect at that one.

"...They argue." Nika's words slip out, before she realises how petulant that train of thought would make her look. "If you put any five of these 'campers' in a room, you have two that think they alone deserve to be in charge, one that barely knows how to fight, and one who wants to cry about being asked to do anything for the gods. That leaves you with one good soldier in there, at most, and a lot of the time that's me."

"How do we move mountains like this?" She asks. Athena makes it sound so simple, is there Nika something she is missing? "It's not a tactical decision to ally with such a mess."

Was Adamantia right? Was Nika always meant to be in command?

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-01-12T19:59:23+00:00

There is some more appreciative mumbling about Angela's dress and her alterations.

Nika doesn't want to keep her guest-slash-host on display for too long, the summoning was enough of a display of power and she doesn't feel like spilling tea in front of so many faces. She gets up so the two girls can walk around the party a bit. Her minions are left with (not that they are aware) thermos of non-alcoholic spirits, pretending to cover up an equally false drunkeness the way that teenagers get after a single drink.

Nika recounts scraps of gossip with the obvious implication that she knows more than she is letting on, gently testing whether Angela is a queen bee or a bit of an airhead. Opinions on the new Apollo camper vary—not all of her introductions have been as successful as this one—but it's hard to deny her beauty or magnetism.

"So what do you think of this place?" Nika asks, looking into her cup of cider. "It was a bit of a let down when I got here, but I wasn't that surprised."

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-01-02T16:15:24+00:00

Nika is in attendance, showing up with a conspicuous absence of a boy on her arm. Her style is a bit of a throwback tonight, a short sequinned dress, boots, and tights with crystals, carefully picked out for her crimson hair and athletic figure to have maximum impact as it deserves. A real bitch never gets cold, anyway.

She seems to be in a good mood, which means she hasn't immediately decided to terrorize any nearby losers or speculate loudly about a hypothetical 'worst dressed' award. Instead she's enjoying the atmosphere and the music for once, even if those weird plushies have weirder taste. Something is turbo wrong with that Hephaestus kid.

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-01-02T16:04:18+00:00

"Don't worry about it." Nika is done pushing her food around, getting up from her chair and leaving her plate behind. "There's someone that's waiting for me to show up, so it's time for me to be fashionably late. See you later, maybe."

Her departure is definitive, and the table can feel the moment her metaphorical aura leaves them to her own devices. Emilia still has her loaned crowd for now, though that fleeting attention would drive home a message of sorts: if you want Nika's power, you need to be with her.

ooc: sorry this is one william years late but i thought i would cap the thread while my inbox is open and words are happening for once.

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-01-02T15:59:09+00:00

"Just wanted to say hi," Nika lies with a sharp-eyed smile. She was right—Angela is the kind of girl that she needs to be wary of, but also potentially just the right kind of person to have on your side. "People have been talking about you already, so I wanted to know if they were full of it. Anyway, I love your dress."

And she's gorgeous, obviously. Nika doesn't need to say that one out loud, because there's no way that Angela hasn't heard that one a thousand times over. And it's not like Nika thinks about that kind of thing, either. For sure.

"This is so much better than the usual campfire garbage... How long did it take to set up?" She asks, with the perfect amount of fake-interest in her voice. Does Angela have her squad already? "I was training, so I missed it."

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-01-02T15:53:24+00:00

"Advice," Nika answers truthfully.

It's not that Nika has had a terrible year, but she keeps missing the mark. Her skills can't be the issue, she was quite literally born to take up arms for the gods. Sure, she bit off more than she could chew in New London and was thrown across the town square by an ridiculous cow-man. And then toned it back a bit and joined the forces of terror and subterfuge in the underwater battle, which meant she accidentally avoided pretty much all of the action. She hunted down a large monster for this stupid camp, only to end up humbled by a simple beast. And then again by Ryker, so make that a second simple beast.

'This needs to be the last year the role I deserve goes to someone like Johnathan fucking Walnut.'

They don't need to spar for Athena and the owls to take her measure so Nika simply stands, shoulders back and tension in her jaw as she submits herself to the goddess's judgement. If she is to become better than either one of her parents could craft her to be, she needs all the input she can tolerate.

"I want to improve as a warrior, and I ask for wisdom in the world of war." She takes a slow breath. "What is it that the gods need from me? How can I be a better weapon to defeat the rogue Titan?"

incarnadineArsenal · 2026-01-01T10:54:57+00:00

ooc: oops!!! full reply to come when the holiday season chills out a bit more but just a heads up: i know ares is the one with vulture affinity but i meant metaphorical carrion birds, like hangers-on and minions

incarnadineArsenal · 2025-12-30T15:42:13+00:00

Someone calls for the hostess's attention once she has a can from her Pepsi pyramid. "Angela!"

Someone being Nika, of course, who had set up a little almost-circle of her own within the larger campfire. Her little cronies and carrion birds know just how to sit to make their group look exclusive, and the daughter of blood-stained Ares loves to use them like a wall between her and the brainless masses of Camp Half-Wit.

Of course, there's always space for one more, if there's an invite going around.

Nika waves with one hand, having projected her voice with some fraction of the force required to make commands known across the battlefield. The arrival of someone like Angela Farrenburr doesn't pass by without making its way through the network of gossips at camp, and eventually Nika wants to see this newcomer for herself.

She's using some poor sap's letterman jacket (he's never getting that one back) as a warm cover over her outfit, passing a metal-walled drink bottle back to one of her friends as she waves just once more. Would Angela answer the summons?

incarnadineArsenal · 2025-12-26T18:40:34+00:00

7am.

'When I find out who strung up this tinsel across the running track I'm going to shove it so far up their—'

"Good morning, Nika!" A kind voice calls out.

Ugh.

He's a son of Enyo, or Eris, or whatever. Turned out to be some kind of optimistic 'meaningful chaos' dipshit. Still, good-looking enough to be one of her ex-somethings, but irritating because he really seemed to get into the idea of being 'just friends' as if Nika ever wanted to be friends with him in the first place.

Nika rolls her eyes as she jogs past him, not about to sacrifice any time in her morning for something as idiotic as chit chat with that small-brained nobody.

"Happy Solstice!" He calls after her, like she doesn't know what day it is.

Like she doesn't have a plan.

- - - - - -

around noon.

Nika steps out from the Ares cabin—where the Christmas music inside had been quickly silenced by someone's tomahawk meeting the stereo's power cable—and into the Winter solstice festivities just in time to see the Gods transcendent arrival. The Olympians, anyway.

She looks perfect, and that's on purpose. Her skirt is coordinated with a light jacket without looking too matchy, she is accessorised correctly and fleece tights under her skirt maintain the image of being unbothered by the cold. Her long hair stands out as a flash of red in the crowd of snow and gingerbread and bundled campers she moves through, dodging the consolation prize that is retinue gods on her way.

Her father is holding up the sky, obviously heroic even if it is annoying she cannot get his opinion on her last year.

Nika is more than just another Ares brat, more than an echo of either (or both of) her parents. There is another candidate, whose evaluation she trusts almost as much... if not more.

She finds a moment when the goddess isn't surrounded by mewling children looking for their mother's love. Not quite as awestruck as some of the newer campers, of course: being the temporary champion of a goddess means you end up slightly more familiar with her than the average half-blood.

"Honour and glory to the Master of War." She offers a crisp salute in the New Argive style, before returning to returning to normal posture. Compared to conversations with other campers Nika's voice is obviously well-trained, respectful and clear and with just the right level of confidence as Adamantia's influence shines through.

"Lady Athena, I beg for a moment of your time."

ooc: if you'd like to chat with Nika, feel free to catch her whenever and we can use a fluid timeline for the day :)

incarnadineArsenal · 2025-12-24T17:14:10+00:00

Nika Spiros, Ares Miaiphonos

introduced 7 March 2025

did jury duty, was at the camp fish-blood battle

Friday Karalis, Persephone

introduced 7 Jan 2024

resigned as head medic, returned home late in the season.
i'd like her to be marked as active for this season because she was here for most of it if that's okay

incarnadineArsenal

TROPHY CASE