"Nothing makes us more vulnerable than loneliness, except greed." – Thomas Harris

Iris laid in bed for the rest of the day. Any requests that filtered through her caduceus were largely ignored and redirected to Hermes. Her mind was muddled with dark thoughts of the other night.

Lal Mirch.

Her breath hitched as she burrowed deeper under her thick blankets. The poor woman. Themis had prevented Iris from bringing her spirit to Colonello. She had said something about not messing with the delicate balance of life and death, that it would lead Colonello down a much darker path—Iris stopped listening to her then and just guided Lal Mirch to the Underworld then, gave her condolences, and left her to be judged, not looking back once.

The rainbow goddess couldn't explain the whirlwind of emotions that swirled in her body. She was too exhausted to understand them. They made her feel weak, vulnerable, too human. She was a goddess, a higher divinity, someone who could tame Zeus' monstrous temper and storms with a wave of her hand. Now here she was, hiding herself from the rest of the world in her cold, dark chamber.

Iris could only imagine what Colonello was going through. She didn't go back to Italy—No, she wouldn't. She couldn't have been able to face the young man who was most likely drowning in grief and seeking vengeance. She didn't know why the thought disheartened her. Perhaps she thought that Colonello might have been different, with his soft heart and kind eyes; but then again, she didn't know why she thought that way.

All mortals were the same—it was in their nature to take and take until nothing was left of their enemies.

She had only met him once and thought she knew him like the back of her hand. She supposed that that was her fatal flaw.

A knock at her door made her curl in on herself even more.

"Iris, dear, I know you're in there." Hestia's warm voice spoke through the doors. "Will you please let me in?"

Gods, did it have to be Hestia? Iris sighed deeply before reluctantly letting her doors open for the other goddess to enter. The delicious scent of wood smoke, and oddly enough, roasted marshmallows pervaded her nose, making her instantly relax. Hestia was too powerful for her own good, despite what she said about herself ohterwise. No one could soothe the gods like she did. The bed sank a little underneath Hestia's weight, and Iris hummed in delight underneath the woman's warm hand carding through her hair.

"Oh, Iris," Hestia said softly. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

Iris stayed stubbornly silent, quietly seething about Hestia of all people coming to console her. She sighed. No one could ever get angry at the sweet goddess; it was almost taboo. Hestia was just too nice and warm, just like her namesake. Anyone who dared cross her would first face the wrath of Olympus itself.

Rolling over, Iris shyly reached out to hold Hestia's calloused hand rather than look up at the goddess.

"Has Lady Hera put you up to this?" she asked quietly.

Hestia chuckled. "I came here of my own accord, dear. Although, Hera is worried about you as well. Are you alright?"

"Just…" Iris' grip tightened around Hestia's hand. "I'm…lost. I can't wrap my head around anything." She laughed bitterly. "It must be ridiculous coming from me of all people."

"No, it isn't. Sometimes, our minds are our worst enemies. Tell me, Iris. I am here to listen."

"There's not much I can say, and those are the things that are plaguing my mind."

Hestia stayed quiet, letting Iris continue with sorting through her raging thoughts. The goddess' comfortable aura eased her nerves as she tried to phrase what was on her mind.

"I suppose that I think too much of myself—or rather I think I am better than I am. Mortals are all so frustrating. I thought I knew everything about them, but maybe I'm wrong. I can't stop thinking that I'm wrong. Perhaps it was incorrect of me to assume that I knew them as well as I did. I don't know why this frustrates me." Iris huffed as she looked up at Hestia's warm brown eyes. They held so much compassion and wisdom that they made Iris' heart ache. "I'm confusing you, aren't I, Lady Hestia?" She chuckled bitterly. "I'm even confusing myself the more I think about it. Nothing makes much sense to me anymore."

Hestia hummed to herself. "There is so much to learn in the world, dear. You can't continue to put yourself down for not understanding some things. I believe you have such high expectations for yourself and other that you're never satisfied. Sometimes it would be beneficial if you see things just how they are." She smiled gently. "I know it must be difficult for you, Iris, but you are not alone. Aunt Themis had also confided in me about her worries for you."

Iris widened her eyes. "Lady Themis has talked to you?"

Hestia laughed. "Yes, though I don't know everything about what you two are doing. I do know that it is for the world's balance, yes? She is very worried about you, dear, and knows you are struggling. So, please consider her position as well. She is also a victim to whatever the Fates have in mind."

Iris pursed her lips. Of course. She wasn't the only one who was having difficulties. How selfish was it to think only about her own sufferings? Themis and possibly even Janus were all struggling to carry out what the Fates have asked.

As if reading her thoughts, Hestia quickly spoke, "Oh, Iris, I'm not downplaying your own struggles nor am I telling you to ignore it in the favor of others. I am only asking you to consider Aunt Themis' position, not push away your own pain. You are not alone in this, dear. We are here to help you in our fullest capacity; however, I believe if you talk to Themis, it'd be easier considering that you are both aware of what is going on."

Iris suddenly remembered why she accepted this mission in the first place. She didn't want to see the world in shambles; she didn't want to see the earth ravaged by bloody carnage and chaos for an indefinite amount of time.

No, she wanted to see the sun shine radiantly and illuminate the sky; the rain to gently kiss the earth and wash away its grief; the mist to veil the lands and appease their anguish with its fleeting touch; the lightning to flash brilliantly in the heavens and strike all that stands in its way; the cloud to scatter light on its wayward path and paint the sky in wonderful colors; the storm to blow everything away and bring people to see the light; and oh, the sky—the beautiful, infinite sky with its all-encompassing warmth and embrace. How could Iris ever forsake the sky?

Without all of them, how could she ever bear to survive? The elements were deeply ingrained in her very being. Like a mother, Iris loved them like her own children and could never stand the thought of losing them.

So, with a firmer resolve and higher spirits, Iris sat upright and ran a hand through her short blue hair. Her lips quirked up in a small smile. She was growing fonder of this form, she realized.

"Thank you, Lady Hestia," she said. "For everything."

Hestia just smiled kindly. "Of course, dear. You always do look better with a smile."

Iris blushed as the other goddess laughed. She rose out of bed and quickly conjured her typical travel garb—a flowing white dress that shimmered with different colors under the light. With her caduceus in hand, Iris turned to Hestia and bowed.

"I apologize, Lady Hestia, but I must take my leave now."

Hestia nodded in understanding. "Of course, dear. I will tell the others not to worry and try to throw Zeus off your trail. He has been rather nosey lately."

"Thank you."

"I wish you luck, Iris."

Iris nodded then disappeared in a flash of bright light; her white wings unfurled in the night sky and she mused on how beautiful the moon was.

Paris—the city of lights.

Iris had always marveled at what mortals could do with so little. Their cities and structures were certainly impressive, especially the Eiffel Tower. When her feet landed on the ground, she grimaced at the trash and dirty sewage water that trickled through the cobblestone streets. She quickly assumed her disguise—a stiff brown dress under a long black cloak—and delved deeper in the alleyways.

Paris seemed to become even more alive at night. Civilians, beggars, prostitutes, and policemen filled the streets and every corner. The stench of cigarettes and sewage filled the air and overwhelmed Iris' nose. She tried hard not to stare at the hunched over figures sitting near the back entrance of restaurants, hoping to get some leftovers that the chefs would throw away.

Her boots echoed in the dark alleyways while faint whistles and catcalls rebounded against the close buildings. She just tugged her hood closer to her face. The streetlights did little to light the way. Her fingers twitched with a sudden urge to strengthen them, but she kept her hands loose and rested them on her coarse dress.

Her mind wandered to the Mist guardian, Viper, who was better known as Avidita—Greed. He was fairly new in the position—it had been only a few years since he took over the position and Iris wondered if a Sin could even be replaced—and had been a mortal before he was turned. His family was wealthy before they lost all their fortune in the Great Depression that currently plagued the world. Viper had always been a quiet child, but dabbled in cults and magic, making him one of the only guardians who had a connection to the mystical forces beyond human comprehension, which could make things easier for Iris if he had stayed mortal.

The Seven Deadly Sins had somehow manifested into physical incarnations after escaping from Pandora's pithos. They were vicious beings who manipulated mortals and even the gods for their own amusement, instigating a majority of their conflicts in the past; however, they seemed to become less active in recent centuries, much to the gods' relief and confusion. Nonetheless, no one wanted anything to do with them. They were dangerous and meant to be avoided.

So, the fact that one of the Strongest Seven was one of the deadly sins was unnerving. Well, at least it wasn't all of them, but that did nothing to make Iris feel better. She would have to approach him as cautiously as—

"Ushishishi."

Iris jumped and was embarrassed when a cry slipped from her lips. She watched with wide eyes as a tall, lean figure seemed to walk out of the shadows. His large, eerie grin caught her attention and it took every ounce of willpower not to recoil at the sight.

"The prince has found an interesting prey tonight," the man said.

Iris wished that she didn't know who he was, but the gods were too paranoid not to know. The twisted power that oozed from his lithe body was tantalizing, but did not reach out to her. She wasn't sure if that was a good sign or not.

"Accidia."

"The prince prefers Bel."

Iris blinked, not sure how to go about this conversation. She had never been comfortable in their presence and never shared a word with any of them, only observing from the sidelines as they wreaked havoc across the earth; however, she did recognize the essence of their power. They were easily distinguishable from one another. Bel's was a slow, lethargic pulse, true to his nature as Sloth, which most considered as the deadliest sin. And he was here, right in front of her.

"Well, Bel then," Iris said. "I did not come here for any trouble."

The blond-haired man merely waved his bandaged hand towards another street. "The prince was sent to escort you, not fight you."

Iris only guessed that it had something to do with Viper—she hoped that it was. "Has Viper sent you?"

But the man was already walking away and Iris had no choice but to follow.

They ended up in a more crowded place, surprisingly. A few people were lined up outside a small shop that had a sign reading "The Truth for a Price"; astonishingly, they seemed like a wealthier clientele with their furred coats and fashionable hats. Iris mumbled apologies as she walked past them, bumping a few shoulders here and there. The ominous aura might not be noticeable to the mortals, but it was like another stench in the air for the goddess.

"The snake won't be taking in more peasants," Bel said grandly.

"What the hell? I waited three hours for him!"

"You wasted our time, you dirty bastard!"

"I have no time to come tomorrow!"

"When will he re-open?"

The crowd immediately became quiet when Bel took out a knife from his own furred coat. Iris widened her eyes in horror as he twirled it idly in his hand.

"The prince does not like repeating himself."

Slowly, the crowd dissipated. Their angry mumblings and whispers eventually faded when it was only Iris and Bel left.

"You weren't actually thinking of killing them, were you?" Iris asked cautiously.

Bel just gave her the same insufferable grin and opened the door, letting himself in first. Iris followed him with careful steps since the small stairs were narrow and steep. When the door closed behind her, she took the time to look around the small, enclosed space. The scent of sage, thyme, and rosemary was surprisingly light on her nose. There was a long, worn curtain drawn to conceal a smaller corner; shelves on the wall were filled with jars of herbs and other questionable content. Iris looked away to quell her nerves.

"The prince brought her," Bel said, drawing back the curtain.

He stuck out a hand, which was immediately filled with a thick pile of francs. Iris watched carefully while the quiet transaction took place. Bel walked past her and left, flipping through the money with his unique laugh.

Watching the man leave, Iris blinked. This was all very strange, she thought.

"Are you just going to stand there?" a blank, androgynous voice said. "Stop wasting my time. I lost a lot of money because of you."

Iris jumped. "Oh, apologies."

She pulled back the curtain hesitantly and sat down on an empty chair she assumed was for her. When she finally got a good look at Viper, she was a bit disappointed that his face was covered by a hood. He had chin-length purple hair and fairly pale skin. Two purple upside-down triangles marked his cheeks, which were quite peculiar.

"What are you doing here, Iris?" Viper said.

Iris slightly winced. "I prefer Luce under these circumstances."

"No one can see through my barriers. There is no need for formalities."

"Ah…I see."

"Answer my question."

"I don't remember seeing you the last time I have met the sins."

"If you are here for information, you will have to pay for it."

Iris frowned. She supposed that she should've predicted it. Well, she might as well indulge him by appealing to his materialistic ways if she was going to get anywhere.

"I don't have francs," she said carefully. "But I have drachmas if that will suffice."

Viper immediately reached out his hand. "They will do."

Iris didn't know how he'd be able to use them or for what, but if money was the way to get this man's cooperation, then she'll have to go with that route, no matter how unpleasant it was. Thankfully, she had a hefty amount from the Iris messages the demigods at Camp Half-Blood sent.

"How much do I have to pay?"

Viper's lips twitched into a slight smile. "That depends on the information you want."

Iris conjured a small pouch in her hand. Its weight was heavy as she dropped it on the table. "There are many questions I want to ask."

"Then you'll have to pay more."

"Won't you give me an exact amount?"

"Ask the question and then I'll tell you."

Iris pursed her lips. "What happened to the last Avidita?"

"Fifty drachmas."

Iris widened her eyes. "Fifty?"

"Yes."

She glanced at her pouch before sighing and taking out the required amount. She was never too fond of money since she rarely used them, but it was still a bit disheartening to see them go for something so…trivial.

It was for a good cause, she thought to reassure herself. For the Tri-ni-set. For Themis. For the balance of the universe.

Viper counted the drachmas quietly, piling them up in four neat stacks. His voice was still a light monotone and Iris continued to have trouble convincing herself that he was a man. "Bel killed the last Avidita. They were always at each other's necks when Bel finally gained the upper-hand, so I was told."

Iris tensed, remembering the blond man's knife and his unsettling grin. Still, she couldn't help but be curious about this mysterious man, even if he was a Sin. He was chosen to be the Mist guardian and if there was a reason for it, then it wasn't in her place to defy the Fates their choice. Eventually, she'd have to be on good terms with him in the near future. Might as well start now and go from there. If Iris was good at one thing, it was establishing relationships.

"I didn't think it was possible to kill a Sin."

Viper didn't respond to that. Iris had to give it to him though—he was clever.

"Then, how did you take the role?"

"200 drachmas."

Iris wordlessly handed them over and watched him count again. His hands were surprisingly bigger than she expected, but his fingers were slender and almost effeminate. She wondered if he was as small as he seemed underneath his heavy black cloak.

"Bel found me and offered the position to me."

"What did he offer you? I doubt that it was money. They have no value to the Sins."

"250 drachmas."

Iris just handed her whole bag to Viper. "Take it. I will conjure the necessary amount for you."

Viper took the pouch. "And you trust me with that?"

Iris smiled. "Yes."

"I can find ways to get through the magical charms on this and simply take away all your money."

"I know you're a man of your word, Viper, so I trust that you won't do that. Besides, I doubt that you can get through Lady Hecate's magic very easily."

"Then you are a fool."

"I believe anyone is a fool to challenge Lady Hecate."

A hush fell between them then, but Viper made no move to do what he said. He merely placed her pouch to the side, careful not to knock over the piles of drachma, and observed her from under his hood. Iris pulled away her own as a sign of truce and tucked a strand of blue hair behind her ear.

"Call me Mammon, not Viper."

"But Viper is your—"

"I won't repeat myself."

Iris smiled. "If you really want me to call you Mammon then I require payment."

Viper pursed his lips. "How much?"

"Does everything have to be exchanged with money for you?" Iris said, exasperated.

"That is how the world works—you give and you take."

Iris frowned. "Not always."

"Money speaks for itself. As long as there is money, there will be power and with power comes greed. The world can only function that way."

"Not everyone is greedy for those things."

Viper's lips twitched into a small smile. "You are even more uncultured than I thought, goddess. Greed isn't exclusive to money and power. Love, sex, family—the list is infinite. Whatever the person wants, so shall greed be manifested." He placed one of his hands on the table, palm up. "Even the gods are susceptible to such a thing."

Iris scowled. "It's because of you Sins we are always stuck in conflict! The humans are constantly fighting each other and scorching the earth! Your influence is even powerful enough to affect us!"

Viper was undeterred by her outburst. "Perhaps. I may not be aware of how the Sins worked in the past nor do I care, but we're doing just fine without meddling in the gods' business. The mortals are just as entertaining, if not more." He smiled again, though it had a sharper edge. "From what I recall, the reason the Sins were made in Pandora's pithos was so that Zeus himself would punish humanity. We are only functioning for our original purpose. Is that so wrong to the natural order you gods love?"

Iris didn't know what to say; she couldn't find anything to refute Viper. It just made her more frustrated that he was actually bringing up good points. The Sins and other calamities were created to punish mankind—so what good was it to condemn them for something they were made to do?

"You also influenced the gods a—"

"Tell me, goddess, is it really the Sins manipulating you for our whims or are you only responding to the very primitive nature of your being? Even the gods aren't perfect. You are all just as flawed as the mortals. There is nothing redeemable about all of you. If we are such a trouble to you, why not destroy us? It has been centuries since Pandora opened the pithos and yet here we are." A small balance scale materialized in a wisp on top of his hand. "Maybe it will threaten this balance you gods are so obsessed about?"

Iris suppressed the urge to swallow the lump in her throat. Any weakness she showed would only be Viper's victory. Still, she found her resolve wavering. She should've never came here.

Viper crushed the balance scale with his hand, making Iris cringe as it crumbled to dust on the table and disappeared. "I have already foreseen you coming here, Iris. I can only guess that something more troubling than it's worth is happening in Olympus if you gods are desperate enough to seek us out."

Iris quickly straightened herself. "I only came here for you, Viper."

"I told you to call me Mammon."

"Not unless I get some form of payment."

"Then name your price."

Iris let out a quiet sigh before straightening herself. She still had a chance to gain the upper-hand. "You are correct that something happened—more like it has already happened. I do not know the extent of your powers or how much you know about our world. You already know how much we value balance. Simply put, I am looking for those that will help us maintain it in the unforeseeable future and you were chosen."

"To guard the Tri-ni-set, if I recall correctly."

Iris blinked. "You…know of the Tri-ni-set?"

"1,000 drachmas."

Iris pursed her lips. "I don't want your answer. Either way, I don't care how you know about it. I just wanted to let you know that you were chosen to be a part of the Strongest Seven."

"And what will you pay me?"

Iris furrowed her brows. "Money is nothing compared to the long-lasting benefits of protecting and preserving the Tri-ni-set."

"Then I will refuse."

Iris clenched her hands into fists. "Is money the only way to get you to do anything?"

"Is that a legitimate question?"

The blunt response sent Iris reeling. Still, she managed to keep her calm. She had braced herself through Zeus' outrageous temper and Ares' ridiculous rants. She could handle this; however, control was slowly slipping away from her hands. If she were like Hestia, she would be able to breeze through this conversation without much trouble. Nonetheless, she wasn't sure if the patient goddess would be able to handle this infuriating Sin.

Viper slid a drachma on the table halfway and tapped on the pure gold coin with a slim finger. "This has value to me, just as much as it has value to you. Money is currency and currency elevates my own reputation. Preserving the world's balance is worthless to someone like me."

"You are also part of that balance."

Viper smiled slightly. "On the other side of the scale, yes. Why would I be involved with something so trivial? There is no benefit for me."

"But you will also be destroyed if it ever happens."

"I live as long as there is greed in this world."

The implications in that one sentence made Iris widen her eyes in horror. "You—You're not serious, are you?"

"1,800 drachmas."

Iris narrowed her eyes. "For once, won't you leave money out of this?"

"2,500 drachmas."

"Then what do you want?" Iris snapped.

"I will have to calculate the fee for my services, but I'm certain it will bleed you gods dry."

"Is there nothing else that you want?"

"3,600 drachmas."

Iris resisted the urge to sigh; instead, she flexed her hands, ignoring the angry hum within her veins, then folded them again on her shaking lap.

"What if I give you access instead?" she said slowly. "Surely you are limited from exploring the full extent of your powers, even as a Sin." She took Viper's silence as a cue to continue. "I am not saying you are weak—you're anything but that—but if you were to protect the Tri-ni-set, you will be able to have the opportunity to expand them. We are only gathering the strongest for a reason. I could even get you an audience with Lady Hecate if you ask. I'm sure she'd be delighted to meet someone of your caliber."

Viper mulled over what she said, retracting the drachma he put out silently and placing it back on the pile next to him. "That is interesting."

Hope fluttered in Iris' chest. "So, will you consider it?"

"5,000 drachmas."

With that, Iris slumped her shoulders. "You are a difficult man, Viper."

"You should have known what you were getting yourself into, goddess. That's not my fault."

Iris sighed. "Then I will leave this for you to think about. If you are still interested, meet me in Thessaly. You'll know when and where."

Viper slid her pouch back to her as she stood up. "You best leave now. I am not in the mood to pay for any more damage costs."

Iris blinked. "Damage costs…?"

"Unless you'd like to meet the other Sins."

Iris widened her eyes before she flipped her hood over her head and pulled back the curtain. Pausing in her step, she looked back at Viper with a small, tentative smile.

"Thank you for seeing me, Viper. It was…a pleasure to meet you. I hope to see you again."

Not waiting for his response, Iris quickly walked out of the small shop and ascended into the night skies, her wings unfurling behind her back and carrying her back to Olympus. The lights below her were a pretty sight, but did nothing to assuage her aching chest. Viper's words and the dark space he inhabited were constantly assaulting her mind.

When her feet touched the cool marble floors of her chamber, Iris let herself change back to her original form. Her long white-blonde hair fell over her pale shoulders while a long white gown trailed the floor. She took one look in her mirror, noting her weary blue eyes, and decided that she needed to have a long conversation with Themis.

A/N So now, there are more things coming into play. How convenient that the Varia each represented a sin—good for me, ahaha.

Now we have met Viper—er, Mammon—and even Bel! I hope that they came out alright. A little fun fact: the last Greed was Rasiel, ahaha. Honestly, though, it was kind of hard to write Viper since he's a bit different from the other Arcobaleno. But at least he gave Iris something to think about, haha.

Thank you so much for reading! Leave a thought or two in the comments and let me know what you think about the characters so far.

I hope to see you again in the next chapter!

Have a lovely day~

Little Miss Bunny