“What’s happening?” I demanded, getting to my feet.
“Where is Hades?” The wings on his knee high boots were working double time it seemed, his entire frame shuddering as he fought to stay upright.
“In the castle, where else?” Arsenio stared wide eyed, getting to his feet and propping himself up with the crutches. “Why?”
“The Titans are attacking, as well as Phoenix and her army. They march on the ruins of Troy at this very moment. The King has commanded all able bodies to the front lines.”
Bodies rushed around me in the armory, grabbing swords and spears, their armor clanking loudly in the chaos. Every guard that could be spared from Tartarus had been called up, as well as the newly reinstated castle guard. Hades himself was examining a sword on the other end of the room, his black armor shining brightly. Gold leaf lined the edges of the set, matching the helmet on his head. The sides of it reached over his face, leaving only his eyes, nose, and mouth visible. He looked every bit the warrior I’d been told stories about, from long ago. Beside him, Katrina patiently waited, watching the space with interest. She, too, wore black armor, her scythe resting impressively on her hip.
Hades had quickly told me the summary of their visit with the blind prophet, ignoring every exclamation and question Arsenio threw at him. There was no time to answer, even if it was a valid inquiry.
Turning my attention back to the task at hand, I studied the blades before me while Arsenio finished buckling the chest plate into place. It was slightly uncomfortable, due to the fact that it hadn’t been made for me, but it would hold up in battle.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Arsenio asked again. “You’ve been banished. When you show up on the field, they might think you’ve joined the enemy. You could be attacked on all sides.” Clipping the last piece into place, he tapped me on the shoulder, signaling that he was done.
“If you can go out there on a broken knee, I can fight as an exile,” I replied smoothly, turning around and helping him with his own chest piece. “You heard Hermes. Every able body is needed.”
Quickly, I finished with his set, motioning that I was finished before turning to the swords. Glancing over the blades, I tried to think of which one would fit my needs the most. There would be lots of sand, due to the fact that Troy was on the coast, so I needed something lightweight that wouldn’t hold me down while I slogged through. The Olympians had picked the ruined city as a strong hold because of the fact it was hard to get to, what with the expansive beach and the pieces of wall that still remained intact. Once inside the city, it would be a maze all its own, the rubble hiding potential enemies and allies at every turn. Whatever weapon I chose needed to be easy enough to maneuver with, but substantial enough to cause great damage.
Reaching out, I weighed a few options in my hands, before deciding on a simple but sharp weapon. Beside me, Arsenio sheathed his own choice, nodding toward the row of helmets on the other side.
“I’ve never been one for head gear, but this is probably a good time to start,” he joked. Limping, he carefully transitioned himself over to the rack, grimacing in pain.
“You shouldn’t be going,” I said roughly. “Your knee isn’t healed enough. If you fall, you’re going to get yourself killed.”
Picking a helmet up, he shoved it on his head, turning to look at me with determination. “I will not watch my entire family go into battle without me, Cristos. Injured knee or not, I’m going to be on that field.”
Taking my own helmet and sliding it on, I nodded, knowing that the metal was concealing most of my face now. “I understand. If I were in your position, I’d probably do the same thing.”
“Olympians!” Hades voice echoed through the space and everyone halted, turning to look at the King of the Underworld. He stood at the head of the room, eyes blazing as he stared out across the group.
“The time has come. We march from the Underworld and join Zeus at the front lines now!”
The soldiers cheered once, raising their weapons in the air, watching as the Lord of the Dead strode through them, heading for the door. His chariot waited on the other side, four black horses already bridled and waiting to pull him along. Stepping into the ride, he took the reins, snapped them over the backs of the animals, and was moving along in an instant.
Behind him, the small army flooded out of the armory, following his path along the River Styx. My own heart hammered with each step, my body feeding off the adrenaline around me. We ran like a stampede, shouting and brandishing our weapons, filing into the tunnels and finally the portal to Troy.
Once on the other side of the gateway, we found ourselves at the top of a high cliff, the ocean smashing against the rocks below. Beside us, the rest of the Olympian army waited, armed and ready. Troy sat just across the water, her ruins already overrun with the enemy.
“Listen well, my family!” Zeus’ voice carried over the crowd as he turned to face us, his features grim.
Shocked, I took in my father’s appearance. His armor, once proud and shining, was now dingy and hammered. The expression he wore was tired, his voice sounding old. If I hadn’t known better, I would have guessed that he was beaten already, his cause lost and power surrendered.
“It has been a long war. The future appears bleak. We have wondered if there is any point in continuing to fight. I tell you now, there is!
“The Titans have lost the helmet that gave them so much power. The mortals they terrorized are safe from their influence of fear. Two of the great Titan generals are dead and gone; Erebos and Typhon are no more!
“We have never had more of an upper hand in this fight. Let it be like days of old, when we knew who was in control and we proved it to everyone in our sight. You are my family. Stand with me now and we will reclaim the honor that is rightfully ours!”
A roar sounded across the space, the army of Olympus ready to follow their king into battle. Smiling back at his people, Zeus turned to the city once more, raising his hands. In a flash of lightning, he and his own personal branch of the army vanished, reappearing on the beaches of Troy, immediately diving into the fight.
Ignoring the clenching of my stomach, I watched, knowing I should have been with them. If I hadn’t been banished, I would have been. Instead, I was dressed as one of Hades’ men, no one even realizing I was here to help my father.
The first group crashed through the lines, the cries of my enemies and family alike ringing out. At one instant it would seem that we were winning, but in the next all would seem lost. The longer the siege went, the more desperate I became to help, watching as Olympians were crushed under the blows of the Titans.
Poseidon, grasping his trident in his hand, turned to the group behind him, saluting them. It only took a few moments for his branch to sail across the tiny harbor on a massive wave, washing up on the shore like a plague of locusts as they joined the battle.
“Steady,” Hades called, holding his hand up for those who remained. We had been saved for last due to his helmet. From this distance, the enemy was only slightly affected by the magic of the helm. As soon as Hades entered the fight, though, we risked an outright panic breaking out, which could lead to more deaths than were needful.
Silence stretched over us for a moment, the battle bloody as we watched on. Finally, the signal came from the other side. A flash of light on the shore blinked twice, and Hades dropped his hand. Smoke billowed out around him, lacing and twining together, forming a bridge of sorts over the water. Slowly, it seemed to solidify, creating our path into the chaos ahead of us.
“To war!” he screamed, slapping the reins across his horses. Rearing up, they jumped into action, dragging him across the bridge at their top speed.
Behind him, his battalion shouted, racing toward the carnage with all their might.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Cristos
Heart hammering, my feet slapped across the bridge, the chest plate buckled around me hot and cumbersome all at once. I could smell the fear
and adrenaline around me, the stench of sweat and anger filling my nostrils. The protective helmet on my head blocked my peripheral vision, making it impossible to look anywhere but forward. Fingers clenched around the hilt of the sword I’d chosen, I suddenly felt as if I were going to vomit, watching the battle going on ahead of me. It was as if I were running in slow motion, watching as the first of the group made landing, flinging themselves into the fight.
Hades horses struck the ground, struggling to pull him through the sand. Their hooves pawed the earth, voices whining as they pushed forward, slipping in the blood and grime, before they finally caught their stride and plowed on. On the chariot behind them, Hades cleared a path, both with the power of his helmet and the strength of the fire he shot from his hand. Katrina followed not far behind, spinning and kicking, her blade showing no mercy to anyone and anything that got in her way.
The first group of soldiers fanned out across the beach behind them, clearing the area like it was nothing, bowling over their opponents with ease. The further they made it toward the walls of Troy, though, the harder the task became. Soon, they had joined Zeus and Poseidon on the front lines, trying to make any headway they could. Even with the power of the helm, it seemed the Olympians were destined to fail.
Slowly, I let all of the reservations and fears I was feeling slide away. Focusing on just my heartbeat, the motion of my muscles, and my breath, I entered the part of my mind that was always ready for battle. The creatures and beings on the coast were suddenly no longer a team, but individuals I could face. They each had a weakness and I would find it.
There was no family, no Avalon, and no need to save the world; all that remained was the task at hand.
Suddenly, time popped back into place, the sounds of war crashing down around me as I stepped into the sand, sword raised and energy high. Ahead of me, a rock Titan was barreling for us, eyes bloodthirsty and weapons aimed for the heart.
Picking up the pace, I dashed ahead of my brothers, leaping into the air and harpooning the creature. A monstrous howl tore from its throat as I rolled away, yanking my sword from the crevice that now existed between his neck and shoulder. Black blood gurgled from the wound and I smiled, inviting the monster to try another time.
Growling, the beast raised the stone blade it carried once again and charged, falling in the dirt as I moved out of the way.
Jumping on its back, I wrestled with the being, struggling to maintain control, until finally, the very blade he carried had pierced his chest.
“You probably shouldn’t carry weapons you can be killed with,” I stated, watching as the life fled his eyes, an angry grunt dying on his lips.
Quickly, I turned my attention to the next enemy, hesitation not even an option as I crossed the beach. My sword flashed in the light, each opponent falling as I came across them. I was a well-oiled machine, the training that I’d had with Hades increasing my effectiveness tenfold.
Rising from my latest opposition, I looked ahead, blinking away sweat as it dripped into my eyes. Several of the soldiers behind me were shouting in encouragement, watching as I bowled through the crowd, making my way to the front line.
Suddenly, the ground beneath me began to shift, sand flying around, blinding me as I tumbled backward. A great cry rose up around me as several others fell as well, each of us struggling to get back on our feet. Glancing up, my breath momentarily stopped as I took in the site ahead of me.
A giant, half spider, half woman monster was climbing out of the ground, six enormous, black legs crashing down and spearing anyone nearby. The creature laughed, webs spinning from her pale hands as she scurried toward me, knocking people aside like they were flies stuck in her web.
Not wanting to get caught in her rampage, I rolled to the side, narrowly missing being impaled by one of the legs and losing my helmet in the process.
“Adrastia!” She hissed, rearing back for a moment, seeming to forget all the others around her. Her surprise was short lived, though, as she lunged forward, determination on her face.
Rolling again, I brought up my sword, slashing across one of her legs. The cut was deep and she howled, stumbling, her body convulsing as she cried. Moving quickly, I dug into another leg, gouging her with all my might.
Suddenly, one of the back legs kicked out, catching me in the chest and practically punting me back down toward the water. The action knocked the breath from me as I hurried to my feet, brandishing my sword as she rushed toward me again, limping and shouting.
Throwing my sword into the dirt, I raised my hands and called on the lightning within me. As the bright power shot out, I saw the creature try to change direction, but it was too late. The electricity rocketed through her, lighting her up like a star. A dull roar thudded in my ears, my hands tingling as I unleashed everything I had. When I laid eyes on her again, she was nothing but a smoldering heap in the sand.
“Adrastia! Adrastia! Adrastia!”
It was then that I realized the roar I’d been hearing was actually the shouting of my name. Soldiers all along the beach brandished their weapons toward me, chanting, triumph on their faces. Among them, several gods shone out at me, their voices joining the cry.
Nodding to myself, I grabbed my weapon and ran back up the shore, determined to keep my momentum going. There was no time to think about what would happen now that everyone knew I was here, instead of banished like I was supposed to be. At this moment in time, it was pretty clear no one was that concerned with it anyway.
The fighting got uglier the further along I made it. Bodies littered the ground around me as I slogged through the gore and stink of death. It seemed like there were so many Titans and so few Olympians, I didn’t know how we were even making any headway. Shouts of panic and fear drew my attention and I looked up, feeling my stomach harden at the sight.
The sky was full of harpies, their wings flapping quickly as they swooped down on the beach, picking up people only to drop them from a different height. Among them, Phoenix soared, her gaze set on the very head of the fight.
Struggling through the mess, I quickly headed that way as well, seeing the lightning strikes of my father working furiously against his own opponents. It was clear what Phoenix intended to do—she would cut off the heads of both armies and destroy everything after.
Vaulting over a fallen foe, I ran with all my might, shoving others out of the way, my hair flying into my face as I rushed to the aid of my family. They hadn’t faced the demi-Titan in battle before and wouldn’t know how strong she was. All they had to do was underestimate her once and they would be dead.
With a thud, Phoenix landed on the field, her form ablaze and putting off a stifling heat. Molten hot blades were in her hands, her fingers transformed into snakes that anxiously nipped toward anyone close enough to reach. With one massive swipe of her arm, she knocked back a group of fighters. Among them, I saw my mother, Karly, the wind knocked from her as she tried to get back on her feet.
Titans quickly scrambled away, even the few who had been engaging Zeus, giving her a large space to work with. It suddenly occurred to me that it wasn’t just the Olympians who had been afraid of her power. The Titans had also been worried over what she could—and might—do.
The King of the Gods faced her head on, lightning bolt crackling in one hand as he stared her down. This was a personal fight for the both of them; they had each tried and failed to kill the other before.
Breathless, I paused, feeling the tightness return to my chest. All of the implications of this war came flooding back in, including my family and the thought of losing Avalon forever. In the second it took me to refocus on the task at hand, the battle in front of me began.
Zeus attacked first, hurling a bolt at the demi-Titan, charging after the shot with a battle cry so fierce that it shook me. Despite how worn out he had appeared at the beginning and the obvious weariness that fighting had brought on, he was still as quick and efficient as ever, darting around, his sword flashing as he delivered blow afte
r blow.
Phoenix moved along with him, parrying and thrusting, her speed just as fast as his. That, coupled with the fact she could fly out of the way when needed, was giving her the edge she needed in the fight, much to my dismay.
Lightning flashed again, striking her in the chest and she grunted, spinning around and slapping him with one of her wings, knocking him to the ground. In an instant, Poseidon was in his place, water pounding into the demi-Titan with such force that she stumbled backward. Behind her, Hades appeared in a cloud of smoke, his fire whip snapping across the back of her legs, bringing her to her knees.
Zeus jumped up, striking her with his powers once more, the three brothers working together to hold her down. It was an impressive display of power, one that made anyone who wasn’t watching stop and stare in awe. In the center, Phoenix struggled, trying to turn away from the onslaught, yet still obviously wanting to fight.
Shouting in frustration, the fire around her grew, exploding out with a fury I’d never seen from her before. Her skin glowed so hot she looked as if she were melting, the redness reminding me of the lava inside the volcano her father had been created from.
Swinging her arm around again, she tossed Hades back against the wall, seeming to be unbothered by his helmet. Spinning around, she sent a stream of fire toward Poseidon, knocking him back. Her axe quickly followed the flames, landing in his shoulder as he cried out in pain.
Turning toward Zeus, she caught his sword as he stabbed it toward her, the lightning running down the blade causing her arm to shake ferociously. Laughing, she yanked the weapon away from him, turning it around and shoving it through his stomach.
“No!” I shouted, rushing into the circle.
“Zeus!” My mother ran toward him, only to be batted away by Phoenix once more, her form falling still where it landed.
Exoria (The God Chronicles #5) Page 19
