by Kate O'Hearn
“She just left you here?” Tryn cried.
Triana nodded. “The Shadow Titans can’t walk on the glass and the Mimics kept falling, so they won’t try anymore. They just stayed on the edge and tried to catch me with their tendrils, but I ran and they couldn’t reach me. I’ve been staying on here ever since.” She was still panting as she pointed to the opposite shore of the glass lake. “They’ve surrounded the lake and are waiting for me to leave it.”
Everyone looked back and gasped at the sight of the Shadow Titans standing on the distant shore. Beside them was a Mimic. The gray creature was pointing at the new arrivals.
“Looks like they know we’re here,” Jake said.
Astraea looked over to Pegasus. “If you hadn’t told us to land here, we’d have been captured.”
Cylus sat up weakly. “Jake, would you tell the snakes to give us more venom? We are going to have to fight.”
“You can’t!” Triana cried. “There are too many. There were hundreds at the temple, and more were coming. Mom thinks they’re going to the Rhean continent as well. Maybe even all of Xanadu.”
“Why?” Tryn asked. “Why would they come back here when they already took everyone from the temple area away?”
“It makes perfect sense,” Pegasus said. “They know a large group of Olympians and Titans escaped from Tartarus. This would have been the logical place for them to come—which is what we were planning to do.”
“Plus, Arious is here,” Tryn said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re trying to get to her as well. She knows the universe and all the places the Xan have been. If the Mimics are going to expand on a large scale, it would be helpful to know about compatible worlds.”
“Indeed, it would,” Pegasus agreed. The stallion turned and looked at the Mimics on the shore. “I doubt they will have suspected Earth as our hiding place, as it was quarantined. So we have that advantage over them.”
“That’s not much of an advantage,” Zephyr said. “Not if there are hundreds of them here.”
While Pegasus spoke, Astraea worked as a translator for Jake. But when movement on the shore caught her eyes, she pointed and said, “It looks like they’re coming to get us.”
More Mimics and Shadow Titans arrived on the shore. The Shadows tried walking out on the glass, but each time they did, they slipped and fell. The Mimics made no attempt to step onto the glass at all.
Jake looked at everyone in the group. “What do we do now? We can’t go back to Earth with all these snakes and Shadow Titans. Do we go back to Nesso’s world?”
Astraea shook her head. “Going back there won’t help anyone but us. We must go back to Earth. Jupiter is counting on us to bring the snakes. Before we left there, Vulcan was making weapons. They’re our only defense against the Mimics.”
“Astraea is correct,” Pegasus said. “We must go to Earth. And although I do not like Shadow Titans, we are taking these ones with us. We have their controllers. If we leave them here, they may fall back into the hands of the Mimics to be used against us again.”
When Astraea finished translating for Jake, he gasped. “You want to take Shadow Titans to Earth?”
Pegasus nodded. “This will not be the first time they have been there. But I hope it is the last.”
Astraea repeated the message, and Jake shook his head. “This is too much! I just hope they don’t get loose in Detroit.”
“I hope we make it to Detroit,” Tryn said, looking back to shore. “Because if we don’t leave now, we won’t be going anywhere at all.”
There were increasing numbers of Mimics and Shadow Titans gathering on the shore of the glass lake. Before long, they were completely encircled. In one area, Shadow Titans were moving onto the glass. When they fell, others climbed on top and used them as the bridge. Seeing that it was working, the Mimics ordered all the Shadow Titans to join in the strange bridge across the glass. Soon a Mimic climbed on top of the fallen Shadow Titans and started to move toward them.
“They’re coming for us!” Triana cried.
Tryn looked over to Jake. “Tell Nesso to get the snakes into the containers and we can go!”
Nesso started to hiss, and soon the snakes were crawling into the containers. Those that couldn’t fit were told to follow directly behind. Darek, Tryn, and Jake each picked up a container and prepared to go.
Astraea held up her controllers. “Shadow Titans, get on your hands and knees. When the Solar Stream opens, crawl into it behind us.”
Darek and Jake gave the same command to their Shadow Titans. Darek offered his hand to Cylus. “Are you strong enough to stand, or do you want me to carry you?”
Cylus swatted it away, but then softened and accepted the offered hand. He rose painfully to his hooves. “I should be fine if I can lean on you.”
Tryn held up the ring to his mouth and whispered, “Earth, Detroit Michigan, Westward Junction inside the Reynolds Specialty Steel plant.”
The Solar Stream burst to life on the glass lake.
Zephyr looked up at Astraea on her back. “What were you saying about never going anywhere?”
“This is different. We don’t have any choice.” Astraea looked back and called to Belis and the other snakes. “Come on, everyone. You can do it. Follow us.”
Moments later, everyone was in the Solar Stream again. Astraea kept looking back to see if any of the Mimics or their Shadow Titans had managed to follow them. Luckily, they hadn’t. All she saw behind Zephyr were a lot of snakes and their own Shadow Titans on their hands and knees. The sight of the terrifying warriors crawling was almost comical.
But the reason for their rushed journey wasn’t. The Mimics were becoming more dangerous. Astraea just hoped when they arrived on Earth, Jupiter and the others would be ready.
24
ONCE AGAIN, THE JOURNEY FROM Xanadu to Earth seemed almost as if it was from Zomos to Xanadu. But eventually it ended in the now familiar brilliant flash.
When they arrived in the steel plant, there were loud cheers from the Olympians and Titans working inside.
It was warmer than Astraea remembered it to be, but then she saw the intense glow from the forge and Vulcan’s crew stoking the flames. Vulcan’s face was black with soot and covered in a film of sweat, but he was in his element.
Astraea’s parents rushed forward, and Astraea slid off Zephyr’s back and embraced her mother tightly. “We have so much to tell you! The Mimics have taken Xanadu! They’ve abducted Emily and Riza and nearly killed Pegasus.”
“What?” Jupiter called as he limped over. He was being supported by Juno.
“What happened to you, Uncle?” Pegasus asked.
“It is nothing. A small accident,” Jupiter said. “A pile of steel fell on me. Without ambrosia, the wounds will not heal.”
“We brought ambrosia and nectar from Xanadu,” Tryn said. “We collected it before the wave of Mimics arrived. It won’t sustain everyone for very long, but it will help.”
“Do not worry about me,” Jupiter said. “Tell me, what has happened?”
While Jake and Tryn distributed the food, Astraea and Zephyr explained what happened on Zomos and what they’d learned about the Mimics and how they were linked. “We’ve also discovered they don’t see very well in the dark.”
Finally Pegasus came forward and explained what happened on Xanadu. “The situation is dire,” he started. “The Mimics have cleared the Olympian settlement and moved against Arious. Everyone was taken, and I was gravely wounded. Thankfully Brue hid me until Tryn and Jake arrived and saved me. After we journeyed to Zomos to collect the others, we returned to Xanadu only to discover that the Mimics had returned in greater numbers. We cannot go back unless we are prepared to fight.”
Cylus’s mother was clinging to her son. “It must have been dreadful for you.”
“It was,” Cylus admitted. “I thought I knew how to fight, but Shadow Titans are impossible.”
“Cylus fought bravely,” Darek said. “So did Render. They weren�
�t defeated by the Shadow Titans; they were simply overwhelmed by their numbers.”
Everyone turned back to gaze warily at the line of Shadow Titans. Jupiter held one of the controllers in his hand. “And this tiny piece of metal controls them?”
Astraea nodded. “Try it. Press the button and tell them to do something. They won’t move otherwise.”
Jupiter did as Astraea instructed and ordered the Shadow Titans to raise their hands. Four of them did. “This is very disturbing. They are simply moving statues.”
“But they can also be very useful,” Vulcan said.
“I hope so,” Jupiter said.
As everyone ate ambrosia, Jupiter gazed over the group. “We are many here, but most are not warriors. We now must clear two worlds of Mimics. Xanadu must not be lost. We need help.”
“From where?” Jake said. “Here on Earth?”
Jupiter shook his head. “No. I do not wish to involve humans if we do not have to. I am thinking of Titus. I believe one or two of us must go back there and seek help.”
“How?” Pluto said quietly. “The Mimics attacked there first. There is no telling how much damage they have done since we left. Or who is one of us and who is a Mimic.”
“I don’t think they have achieved much,” Astraea put in. “The Mimic that had Zephyr and me said we’d disrupted their plans. Maybe it means they have slowed down their attack on Titus.”
“We cannot know what it means,” Vulcan said.
“Indeed,” Jupiter agreed. “Which is why we need a volunteer to go back there on the sly and see what is happening. Perhaps they can reach Hyperion, and if he is still free, he can get a group of warriors together and come here to join us as we prepare to engage the Mimics.”
“I’ll go,” Tryn volunteered.
“And me,” Darek added. “My family is still there. I need to check on them.”
Several other Titans raised their hands and offered to go, but Jupiter shook his head. “Thank you all for your offer; that is very brave of you. But I have someone in mind for this very special mission. Someone who has fought the Mimics firsthand. Someone who knows what we are up against.” He turned and looked at Astraea. “It grieves me to ask you this, but would you do this for me…?”
“What are you saying, Jupiter?” Astraea’s mother demanded.
“I am asking Astraea if she and Zephyr would head back to Titus to find Hyperion and my father. Saturn was a powerful warrior before he retired. If he hasn’t been taken, he will be a great asset to us. With more numbers here, we stand a chance of saving both Xanadu and Titus.”
Astraios charged forward. “You want to send my daughter back to Titus with all those Mimics there?”
Jupiter nodded. “I know it is not ideal, but she and Zephyr have the most experience with these creatures. Now that we have seen how they are spreading, we need more warriors. I am certain that with our prolonged absence, Saturn, Hyperion, and his brothers must know something is very wrong. But they do not have the weapons to fight the Mimics. We have the snakes. We must pool our resources and prepare for war.”
Aurora shook her head. “Astraea and Zephyr have only just returned to us after a terrible ordeal on Zomos and Xanadu. They need to rest, not go to Titus.”
Jupiter sighed. “I would go myself, but to be honest, I am too weak.”
“We wouldn’t let you go,” Astraea said. “The Mimics are looking for you.” She looked at everyone in the plant. “They’re looking for all of you. You are the Titus council and hold positions of power. The Mimics that had us on the beach on Zomos were going to torture me to find out where you were. That means you are still valuable to them and that maybe Titus hasn’t fallen completely yet.”
“See?” Jupiter said to Aurora. “Astraea has the most experience with these creatures. Plus, Hyperion is her grandfather. He will listen to her.”
“Let me go too,” Tryn offered. “I have my skateboard. I can fly with them.”
“Or we could go with her,” Cylus said. He was still leaning heavily on his mother, but he had a fierce, determined expression on his face.
“You are not going anywhere but to bed,” his mother said. “You are still recovering. That wasn’t a small wound you suffered. You nearly died.”
“But I didn’t die and we’re a team,” Cylus said.
“Yes, we are,” Render agreed. “We should all go.”
“No,” Astraea said to the centaurs. “Not this time. Thank you for offering, but Jupiter is right. Grandfather knows me. He’ll believe what I tell him. Zephyr and I will fly in quickly and be gone before the Mimics know we’re there.”
“Besides,” Zephyr added. “There is still the question of Mimics making it to Earth because of the two Solar Streams colliding. You have to look for them.”
Tryn considered a moment and nodded.
“What did Zephyr say?” Jake asked. When Tryn told him, he nodded too. “She’s right. We can’t let those creatures loose on Earth. If they’re here, we have to find them.”
Astraea’s father was fuming as he turned on Jupiter. “I am sorry, Jupiter, but I will not allow my daughter to return to Titus. You wanted her to go to Zomos, and despite my protests she went—and she and her team were nearly killed.”
“Dad, I want to go,” Astraea said. “We’ll have snakes and weapons with us, and we’ll only move around at night.” She looked at Zephyr. “You like to stomp people. How about we spread some venom on your hooves? Then you can stomp all the Mimics you like.”
“Yes, and then I’ll die when I get my hoof stuck inside one.”
“All right, then don’t stomp them,” Astraea said. “You don’t even have to come if you don’t want to.”
“Hey, I never said I wasn’t going to go. I just said stomping Mimics isn’t a good idea. This whole thing is a bad idea. But we don’t have much choice. Jupiter is right. We need more fighters.”
Jupiter nodded. “It is not ideal, but it is decided.” He looked at Aurora. “Would you take Astraea and Zephyr upstairs? They need to rest before they head out.”
“I’m fine. I can go now,” Astraea said.
Jupiter smiled, but it held great sadness. “Be truthful. How much rest have you had? After the story you just told us, it doesn’t sound like a lot.”
“Well…”
“Do as I ask and rest. In a while, you can leave.” Jupiter looked at Tryn and Jake. “That includes you two. There are jobs that need doing here. But you must be fresh. Take some time to recover.”
“We have to look for Mimics,” Jake said.
Pluto nodded. “We already have sentries on the roof. They will alert us to anyone coming. Get some rest. We have a big fight ahead of us.”
Astraea hated to admit it, but she was exhausted. With her arm still around her mother, she started walking through the plant. The changes that had been made while they were away were remarkable. When they moved, Belis started to follow.
“Astraea, can you please tell your pet to stay here?” Zephyr asked.
Astraea turned to the snake and held up her hand. “Stay, Belis. I’ll be back later.”
Nesso started hissing at Jake’s neck. “Belisss likesss Assstraea and wantsss to ssstay with her. He saysss he mussst protect her.”
When Jake repeated the message, Zephyr moaned. “Maybe you should kick him or something, so he won’t feel so protective.”
Astraea gasped. “I would never kick him! He’s too sweet.”
Zephyr snorted. “Snakes are not sweet. Especially big ones that look like Lergo.”
Astraea hadn’t told Zephyr that Belis was exactly like Lergo and even turned black like him. “Just relax,” she finally said. “If you don’t bother him, he won’t bother you.”
Zephyr muttered under her breath and kept staring angrily at Belis. But the snake stayed with them.
As they moved toward the stairs, they saw fresh piles of junk steel that hadn’t been there before.
“Where did all of this come from?” Jake asked
. “There’s way more here now than there was.”
Aurora nodded. “I lead a team of scavengers that go out each night searching for bits and pieces of steel to bring back for Vulcan. We have discovered something called a junkyard, which is filled with all kinds of treasures that we can use.”
They climbed the stairs to the top level. Astraea was surprised when she left the stairwell and saw that the entire top floor had been turned into living quarters. There were beds and chairs set up, as well as an area for the centaurs.
“Did you find all these beds at the junkyard?” Astraea asked.
“No. These we bought when Jupiter and Juno sold some of their rings and jewelry. I’ve been finding extras at the junkyard to try to make it comfortable. It is not Titus, but it is functional. We have a large dining area on the floor beneath us. There is a grocery store not too far from here that carries a lot of sugary foods. We are growing weaker, but at least it sustains us.” She looked back at Tryn and Jake. “I am so grateful you were able to bring back ambrosia. Despite Jupiter saying his injury wasn’t bad, it is. Very bad. A few of us have been hurt since we arrived.”
“I hope it’s enough,” Jake said.
“Me too,” Aurora agreed. She led them between a large setup of cots. “Astraea, this is yours.” There were several blankets laid out on the floor beside it. “I hope that is all right for you, Zephyr.”
“It’s perfect. Thank you, Aurora.”
Astraea’s mother smiled, but it held great sadness. “Try to get some rest. You are facing another terrible ordeal. I just wish Jupiter would let me go instead.”
Astraea hugged her mother tightly. “I understand why he’s asked us. Don’t worry. We’ll be fine.”
“I can’t help but be worried. You may be almost grown, but you’re still my baby girl. All my children will always be my babies. I’m so frightened for your brothers.…”
“Me too,” Astraea said. “If I can find them, I’m bringing them here too.”
Tears welled in her mother’s eyes. “Thank you, my darling girl.”
