by Kate O'Hearn
Astraea was ready to fight. But with so many Titans and Olympians in front of her, she didn’t think any Mimics could reach her. Especially as they were at the very back of the large group.
She was wrong.
A long tendril caught hold of Darek and spun him around. He was unconscious before he struck the floor. As he went down, Cylus reacted and fired a poisoned arrow at the Mimic. Astraea turned and gasped when she saw a wide line of Mimics charging forward from their place along the back wall of the spacious chamber.
Moving on instinct alone, Astraea used her dagger to slash the tendril that reached for Zephyr. The creature howled and pulled it back. Soon it started to melt.
Behind her, Belis was black and already moving toward the line of Mimics, biting anyone that was within the large snake’s reach.
Everything became a blur of time and movement as Astraea fought against the Mimics in the chamber. She thought she was prepared to face them again, but seeing the mass of bulbous gray creatures charging at her was almost more than her mind could take in.
As the fight intensified, the floor became slippery from melting Mimics, and half the Titans and Olympians went down just from touching the residue. The night dwellers came into their own as heroes as they pulled their fellow Titans away from the dangerous goo.
Astraea was swinging her dagger at one Mimic when Belis rose up in front of her. His eyes were red, and she could see the fury within them. For an instant she wondered if all the fighting had turned Belis into a serpent like Lergo. But when he charged, he flashed past her and went for the Mimic running at Astraea from behind.
Two other Mimics were advancing on Zephyr. Unable to defend herself, she called out for Astraea. But Belis was already moving, and before they could touch Zephyr, Belis had them both down and melting.
“I guess you want me to thank you,” Zephyr called to the snake. “So, thank you!” She looked over to Astraea. “How many Mimics are down here?”
“Too many,” Astraea replied. Ahead of her, she saw a sword from a fallen Titan. Casting aside her dagger, she picked up the sword and was able to fight the Mimics from farther away.
The sights and sounds around them were beyond Astraea’s imagining as a hoard of Mimics were still fighting the Titans and Olympians. It was overwhelming, and she had to focus on each Mimic alone if she wanted to keep from screaming.
As the endless fight continued, Astraea searched the masses for the night dwellers holding her mother. It was then that she saw her mother had been put down in the same area where the night dwellers were dragging the unconscious Titans and Olympians. The area was unguarded.
“Zeph, look!” Astraea cried. “Mom and the others are alone!”
“We have to protect them!” Zephyr whinnied.
With the crowds of fighters all around them, Zephyr flapped her wings and tried to fly over the top of the fight. But as she rose, a tendril shot out and caught her by the back leg. Zephyr howled once and crashed down to the floor.
“Zephyr!” Astraea cried as the Mimic kept hold of Zephyr’s leg, trying to kill her.
Astraea’s heart was in her throat as she attacked the Mimic and cut off the tendril gripping her best friend. The Mimic cried out and started to melt. The first danger was over, but Zephyr was down on the floor in the middle of the worst battle Astraea could ever imagine. There were puddles of goo everywhere from the fallen Mimics. One of the puddles was spreading toward Zephyr’s tail.
Astraea ran up to Zephyr’s front hooves. She put down her sword and caught hold of a leg, starting to haul her heavy friend away from the danger. She had gone only a few feet when a Mimic caught sight of her. “Astraea!” it shouted. “I will end you now!”
Astraea realized she’d put her sword down to drag Zephyr. The Mimic knew it too. But what it didn’t know was that Vulcan had given Astraea an extra dagger, which she’d hidden in her belt. When the Mimic came closer, she drew the weapon and threw it. Though it passed through the creature, the poison on the blade did its work, and the Mimic gurgled and started to melt.
Now unarmed, Astraea reached for Zephyr’s hooves again and continued to drag her away from the fight. With each step, she realized just how big and heavy Zephyr really was. Her arm muscles were quivering, and she felt winded. Just when she thought she couldn’t drag Zephyr any farther, Tryn and Triana arrived.
Without speaking, Tryn caught hold of Zephyr’s other front hoof, while Triana grabbed a back leg, and the three of them pulled Zephyr over to one of the walls where the large group of unconscious Titans and Olympians were being taken. They laid Zephyr beside Astraea’s mother.
Astraea looked at all those that were down. “We must protect them,” she panted. “But I don’t have a weapon.”
“I do.” Triana held up a sword.
Tryn also had a sword. His haunted eyes revealed the pain he was suffering from the battle he was witnessing and being part of.
Astraea dashed back into the fight and retrieved her own sword, and together the three of them stood watch over Zephyr, her mother, and the other fallen. They attacked any Mimic that came near them.
Despite the fight seeming endless, eventually the defenders got the upper hand. What amazed Astraea was how, once again, the few remaining Mimics didn’t try to run or escape. Instead they fought right to the end.
Finally, it was over and all the Mimics in the food chamber had been reduced to puddles.
Jupiter looked around the room with his sword held up, ready to take on more. When he realized there were none left, he walked to the corridor outside the chamber and looked around. Then he turned back to his people. “The corridor is clear. I want an advance team to move forward and clear a path to Arious.”
“We will go,” Hyperion called as he, Crius, and several other security Titans charged forward into the corridor.
Astraea’s father came up to her and saw what she, Tryn, and Triana had done for the unconscious fighters. He nodded at Astraea and smiled weakly. Then he reached for her mother.
When he carried her forward, he called, “Will someone please tell me how to get to Arious? I must get Aurora there.”
Pegasus came forward. “I will show you.”
Astraea was torn. She wanted to stay with Zephyr, but she needed to be with her mother. A night dweller came over to her. “Go, child. Stay with your mother. We will keep watch over your friend and the others.”
Astraea nodded and reached down to touch Zephyr. “I’ll be right back, Zeph. You’re safe now.”
Tryn put down his weapon and, saying nothing, walked beside Astraea. Triana also followed, but like Astraea, she kept her sword at the ready.
Finally Tryn spoke in a hushed voice. “I have killed. It goes against everything my people stand for. Everything I believe. What does that make me?”
“It makes you a hero,” Cylus said as he, Darek, and Render joined them with their bows held at the ready.
Astraea touched Tryn’s arm. “I know you don’t feel it right now, but because of what you and Triana did down there, Zephyr is safe. So are a lot of others.”
“I understand that, but…” His words trailed off.
Astraea had no words of comfort or encouragement to give him. She felt the same.
Everyone was silent as they made their way through the temple. No one needed to speak. They all understood that the fight had been more dreadful than they’d ever dreamed.
Along the way they encountered several more Mimics. These were quickly dispatched by Cylus, Darek, and Render with their bows. When the group finally arrived on the level of the supercomputer, Pegasus clopped up to the stone wall that hid the door. He kicked it with a golden hoof.
“Arious, we have returned to free Xanadu from the Mimics.…” Pegasus barely finished speaking when the hidden door slid open.
Tryn’s parents rushed out, and his mother ran up to him. Triana embraced them both.
“I am so glad to see you all,” Ben said as he invited them into the chamber. The door c
losed tightly behind them. “We’ve been trapped in here for days.…” His eyes trailed over to Astraios carrying Aurora. “What happened?”
“She was hurt on Earth,” Astraios said. “She has broken bones and I fear more injuries that we cannot see. There was no ambrosia left to give to her. She has not awakened since it happened.”
Arious called, “Bring Aurora forward. I am ready to receive her.” A drawer slid open in the wall. “Place her here.”
Astraea’s father carried her mother over to the drawer and placed her inside. Then the drawer slid silently closed. Moments later Arious said, “Scans reveal that Aurora does have many broken bones. As well there is internal bleeding. I am starting treatment immediately.”
Astraea could barely speak as she looked at the closed drawer. “Will she…?”
“Aurora is young and strong. She will recover,” Arious answered.
Tryn was still with his mother. He lowered his head. “Forgive me, Mother. I have fought and I have killed. It was not what I wanted, but the Mimics left me no choice.”
“So have I,” Triana said.
Their mother’s face was filled with loving compassion. “Do not fret. I understand. We all do. When the Mimics attacked us, they killed many Rheans and took others away. They are a species we have never encountered before. They are a living horror, and we must all stand against them.”
Tryn’s father embraced him. “None of us want to fight. But we must.” He looked around the room. “Where’s Jake?”
Tryn dropped his head and told them the events of Earth. “We hoped they might have brought him here.”
The lights on Arious flashed. “I am sorry, Trynulus,” the computer said. “Scans reveal there are no humans on the surface. The Mimics did not bring him here.”
“Don’t worry,” Ben said. “We’ll get him back. We’ll get them all back.”
“We brought the snakes with us,” Astraea offered. “They are giving us a lot of venom. Plus Belis is here. He’s a giant snake that really hates Mimics.” It was then that Astraea noticed the two snakes around Ben’s neck and remembered Tryn telling her that his father had wanted to be bitten by the ones Tryn brought back from Zomos. “Can you understand them the way Jake understands Nesso?”
Ben nodded. “These two are real characters,” he said. “They are going to help us all they can.”
“That’s good,” Astraea said. “With Jake…” She couldn’t finish the sentence, as it was still too painful.
“I understand,” Ben said. “Arious has analyzed their venom and, unfortunately, she can’t duplicate it.”
The computer agreed. “The venom contains an organic compound unique to the snakes. I cannot reproduce it. We need our snake friends if we are to defeat the Mimics.”
“But can they give enough?” Pegasus asked. “There are a lot of Mimics, and they do not care if they die in battle. They sacrifice themselves easily.”
“That is because they are part of a hive society,” Arious explained. “Individuals are unimportant and dispensable. Only the hive and their queen matter.”
“How can we fight an opponent like that?” Cylus asked.
“One at a time,” Ben answered.
Tryn walked up to Arious. “Can you feel when someone arrives by the Solar Stream?”
“If it is within the temple, yes,” Arious said. “I have sensors throughout. I was aware of your arrival. It was unfortunate that you picked the busiest chamber in the temple to arrive in.”
“That was my fault,” Pegasus said softly. “That chamber is where Emily and I first arrived. It was on the lowest level. I believed it would be safest.”
“Your reasoning was logical,” Arious agreed. “Unfortunately, that level is also the coolest place on the planet, and the Mimics needed it to store their food.”
“Not for long,” Render said. “A team is down there now destroying their supplies. If they can’t eat, maybe they’ll leave.”
“I fear it will take more than that to discourage them,” Arious said. “But it is a start.”
Astraea walked over to the wall where her mother was being treated. She could see the outside of the drawer, but not her mother inside. She laid her hand against it, wishing she had the power to heal her. “How long will my mother be in there?”
“Not long,” Arious said. “She is already responding to treatment.”
Moments later, there was pounding on the chamber door. It slid open to reveal Jupiter and Juno. “How is Aurora?” were Juno’s first words as they entered.
“Recovering,” Arious called.
“Thank the stars.” Jupiter approached the consul. “Arious, are there any more Mimics in the temple?”
“No, Jupiter. Your people have destroyed them all. Thank you.”
“Will you tell us if more arrive?” Jupiter asked.
“Yes. I have set up a central alarm to sound if there are any Solar Stream incursions into the temple. It will announce where they are. But I do not know about outside it.”
Jupiter nodded. “We have been to the entrance and have seen a good number of them out there.” He looked back at Astraea. “You are right about their night vision. They are all carrying torches and other sources of light. That gives us a small advantage. But we need more.”
Astraea looked at the computer. “Arious, if you can sense when the Solar Stream opens, can you stop it?”
“I wish I could, but I cannot. This chamber is the only place that is magnetically sealed against the Solar Stream.”
“Themis was right,” Juno noted. “She said it was likely this is the only place you could protect.”
Ben came forward. “At least with the central alarm, we’ll know when and where more arrive.” He approached Jupiter. “Now that you have cleared the temple, I believe it is time we set up patrols on every level to deal with any new arrivals.”
Jupiter nodded. “I have teams out, but we could use your help to better organize them. Your CRU experience would serve us well in this matter. May I count on you for support?”
“Of course,” Ben said. He looked back at his wife, Tara. “I’m going to get started.”
“Not without me you aren’t,” Tara replied.
“But, Mom,” Tryn started. “Rheans don’t fight.”
Tara nodded. “In the past we did not fight. But the Mimics have changed that. They have killed our kind and taken others. We have no option. I will stand beside your father and I will learn to fight.”
Just as they prepared to leave, Arious sounded a shrill alarm. “Solar Stream incursion in the lower food chamber. Mimics and Shadow Titans!”
“They’re back!” Tryn cried.
Jupiter charged out of the room. “Come, we must get there.”
* * *
Astraea held her sword at the ready as they charged into the chamber. It was deadly silent. The Solar Stream was closed and there were no Mimics around them. Several Shadow Titans lay sprawled in pieces on the floor. It was impossible to tell which ones were under their control and which ones were from the Mimics.
Over to one side, they saw that the stacks of Mimic food had been reduced to ash by Pluto. But there was no sign of him.
“What happened here?” Jupiter turned in a circle.
A Titan warrior was climbing slowly to her feet. She had a deep wound in her side. “It was Mimics and Shadow Titans. They struck so quickly. We managed to melt several Mimics, but the Shadow Titans are almost impossible to destroy.”
“Where is my brother?” Jupiter demanded, looking around. “And Vulcan?”
“Taken,” the warrior said. “Though I do not think they were the real target. I think the snakes and the containers of venom were.”
“They got the venom?” Cylus cried.
The warrior nodded.
“Astraea,” Zephyr called. She was across the chamber and offering her wing to a wounded Olympian to help them up.
Astraea ran over and helped the Olympian stand. He had a head wound and looked unst
eady on his feet.
“You must get to Arious,” Astraea said. “She can heal you.”
Juno came forward. “Allow me to help you.” The Olympian looked stunned at who was offering. He bowed his head. “Thank you, Juno.”
When they were gone, Astraea focused on her best friend. “Zeph, are you all right?” She checked around Zephyr’s body and under her wings. “Did they hurt you anywhere?”
“I’m fine,” Zephyr said. “But they took Angitia, two containers of snakes, and the jars of venom. They hurt Belis and now he’s going nuts!”
Across the chamber the immense snake was slithering around and smashing into the wall. There was blood coming out of several deep wounds on his head.
“What did they do to him?” Astraea asked.
“The Shadow Titans went after him. I think they were trying to capture him or even kill him. When Angitia tried to protect him, they grabbed her and took her through the Solar Stream. Maybe they wanted him to follow, but he was too hurt. Where he’s smashing his head against the wall is where they came through and left. He’s either brain damaged or doesn’t understand that he can’t follow them.”
Ben gasped. “Look at the size of that snake!”
“That’s Belis,” Astraea said. She looked at the snakes around his neck. “Would you come with me and tell him to stop? He’s going to hurt himself more. He can’t follow them, not that way through the wall.”
The snakes hissed, and Ben said, “They’ll tell him.” He hesitated. “It is safe, right? I mean, that’s a really big snake.”
Astraea nodded. “He’s very gentle.”
“To us,” Tryn said. “To Mimics he’s their worst nightmare.”
Ben looked at his son. “Then we must find more snakes like him!”
37
THE ATTACK IN THE LOWER chamber was quick and well thought out. The Mimics knew their targets and moved quickly to secure them. But how they knew who would be in there remained a mystery.
