The Legend of Augustus:
He never wanted any of this to happen. His memory's gone, his name's tainted, and his family's been murdered. He makes a deal with the person who banished him from his childhood home, to fight almighty sorcerer, Ravana. But, of course, with every victory, there must come a sacrifice... / "Ah. The legendary Augustus... I hope you are half a man as your myths say you are." "Please, pretty lady. Call me Legend... or Austin, perhaps."
Heeeeey people. My new story! For those of you who actually watch movies nowadays, this isn't going to be EXACTLY like the movie, that'd make it extremely boring. Maybe a couple of key details I've stolen from it but NOTHING else. Those of you who don't know will hate me after I tell you where I got the idea from: Hercules (the movie) (2014).
So... please don't murder me. I just realized how stupid I was acting. I wanted an action-y storyline but can't write hand-to-hand combat. SO I decided to do what I'm best at: sword fighting. This takes place somewhere that's kind of a combination of both the olden times AND modern times.
Btw, the FIRST italics part-thing is a flashback. The SECOND one is... well... read to find out c; I put them both in there for you to get an inside on Austin/Augustine's mind.
Don't be too harsh and don't hate it too much. :P
NOTE: If I don't update much, I'm really sorry. School sucks. *pouts* Don't worry, I've prewritten the first couple chaps, so I'll get them up soon :).
Chapter 1: Athens
"You are so much like Dad... it's remarkable, really."
"Daddy? Where is Daddy?"
"Um... Daddy is the heavens, Augustus. He's watching upon us, proud of what you've become."
"Rory, what does dat mean?"
"My name is Aurora, Augustus. It means that he wants you to become what you want to be, not what others are pressuring you into doing."
"Mommy says my name is Austin!"
"Father—er, Daddy named you Augustus. Mommy calls you that so she can try to let go of the last remains of The Champion."
"The Champion?"
"Our father, Augustus. However, I will not follow. He named you a defender and defender you shall be. Mother refuses to call you so because it reminds her too much of our father."
"But where is Daddy?! I want Daddy!"
"Augustus, Augustus, please—"
"MOMMY! DADDY!"
"Augustus!"
"My name is Austin! Mommy said so!"
"Mommy is a liar! She said that Father never loved us! But I know better. He... he did, and does! He would've left Mother before we were born if he didn't."
"He... left?"
"NO! Um, he, um, he's a god! Yes, and he has many responsibilities as a god. That is why he is never here. He loves us dearly."
"Wow! He's God?"
"He's a God. The most powerful, actually. He only left to protect us. There are bad people out there, Augustus; and you must learn to know who to trust."
"Can I trust you?"
"Of course, Augustus. I love you."
"I love you too, Rory."
"I was beginning to question whether or not you actually a son of the most powerful of gods..." a voice crooned from above him.
Augustine's sharp eyes inspected the large chasm above and around him. Red-brown ragged edges and walls jarred out from every direction. The air smelled of manure and platinum, the ground dusted with gray pebbles.
He glanced down at himself, realizing he was in full-body armor. Silver metal stuck against his body as if afraid he would suddenly disappear. His favorite sword was present in his right hand, his legs in a fighting stance. He straightened.
"Where am I?" His voice echoed repeatedly in the hollow space.
A figure emerged from the death-worthy shadows. Pure-white skin, hair, and beard; cold, menacing ice-colored eyes; a blood-red robe withering down to his gold-plated shoes...
"Euripides," Augustus growled. "What is the meaning of this?"
"Old friend," Euripides said, smirk planted firmly on his lips. "I simply called upon our old oracle, Caiside, to send you a message. You are having a lucid dream, I assume?"
"Go away, traitor." Augustus spat, his legs moving him closer to the edge. "I was banished from Athens because of you."
"That was not me. It was the convicting of your family's murder."
"My sister, mother, and grandmother were in that house, that night. I was not. I do not remember anything of that night—I was framed!"
"By whom?"
"This is what really irritates me," Augustine said. "You framed me. When I awoke I was already in chains! I did not even get to speak before you ordered my execution."
"I did no such thing."
"LIES!" Augustus yelled, slamming the butt of his sword against the rock wall. His voice was filled with hatred, anger, and sadness. "You took everything from me and now you believe I will help you..." He chuckled bitterly. "Put it all on the platform!"
"Gladly," Euripides said. He spread his arms and an image fluttered into view. It was of Athens, the village blackened and the wooden houses torn down to rubble. Thousands of families lay dead on the streets, fewer and fewer people alive to grieve. A small bust of fire in the middle of havoc, surrounded by—at most—sixty people, already going through a famine.
Augustus felt a tug at his lower abdomen as he watched more innocent villagers fall. He shook his head in an attempt to clear the visions of horror his old enemy had just shown him.
"Yes," Euripides said. "Athens is falling apart. Too many of our soldiers have died in service. Our last line of defense is made up entirely of farmers and merchants. If they fall then Athens is finished."
He let out a ragged breath. "How many?" He croaked.
"300, at most. Not a whole elite but I figure you and your comrades can deal with them. I believe with your help, Athens can rise to its full glory once more."
"What do we get in return?"
"For you or your... allies?" He said the words 'allies' like it tasted sour.
"Both."
"Well, for your allies I suppose gold is enough?"
"How much?"
"All their weights, including their battle armor, combined. Split equally, I presume."
He breath came out heavy. "And me?"
"You have a choice. Either you join your comrades in the gold... or..."
"Or?"
"Your sentence can be lifted."
He choked. "What?"
Euripides chuckled. "Yes, I'm surprised as well. However, if you choose, your banishment can longer exist and you can live in a brand new, remodeled Athens. Settle down, stand at the alter, have children... All yours."
"And if I say no?"
"Then your childhood home shall be in ruins before the next autumn equinox."
He sighed, his mind racing with possibilities. This could be a trap... he could be leading me into a cage where he's wanted me for a decade already. But he could also be sincere... I could have a family of my own. Avenge my family... Or as soon as I agree he'll slaughter me. My options?
Say yes, risk getting killed, but could possibly earn the right to settle down without the feds on my tail.
Say no, have my childhood home destroyed, continuously get blamed for the murder of my family AND Athens.
His mind began to throb and he swallowed the lump in his throat. Which was more worth it? Possibly earn a family of his own, or keep his life off the line?
"Time is ticking," Euripides sighed. "You do not need to tell me now, you simply need to return to Athens—if the answer is yes—in three days. If the answer is no, get as far from Athens as you can so you do not get caught in the crossfire."
"Who are we up against?" Augustus asked.
"A sorcerer," the king traced his hand over the sharp edges of the cavern. "Ravana. Rumors say that he can manipulate the minds of his enemies; make them forget who they are fighting for."
"That would be useful," he commented lowly.
"Indeed. If you and your comrades cannot handle it... well..."
"We can handle it," Augustine insisted.
"So I assume that is a yes?"
Legend hesitated. "The risks are high..."
"Is that a no?"
"I have three days to decide, no?"
"You have three days to arrive to Athens. Depending on where you are affects how much time you have."
"I have an Amazonian warrior on my side. She can get me to Athens in no time at all."
"Yes? No? What will it be... Hero?"
A chance to have a family of my own... or avoid the risk of getting beheaded. My friends... they would not forgive me if I decided to help him for selfish reasons. I need to get something bigger and better than gold...
"A bargain," Augustus decided. "Finer than gold; I know you have it the ability. There is no question."
"What do you want?" Euripides hissed.
"Ciara would want the finest arrows in all of Greece, wielded by Hephaestus, the god of forges, himself! Elias would want his own temple to recite his visions. Rochus would want a spot in the Wielder's Apprentice, I have no doubt. Ryker would want to be the town's crier, or a well-known writer for Athinás Efimerída Kathimeriná—his own section would be wonderful. Dallas would want his own line of armor... hm, Armor Ntállas would be an amazing name, does it not? And me... I will settle with having my banishment revoked. That is all."
"I don't suppose you want to be my heir to the throne once I reach my demise, as well?" The king asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I do not want to rule Athens," Augustus agreed. "I want to save it."
"It is a yes, then?"
He pressed his lips together before sighing. He stretched his hand out. Euripides gripped it. "It's a yes."
"Fire!"
Ciara, Dallas, Elias, and Rochus all followed his commands, stepping from out of the shadows. Ciara shot a dozen silver arrows at 14 of his men. Dallas growled and tackled whoever came by. Rochus flicked his wrist and suddenly another six men were down. Elias just swung his ax casually and killed three men without turning around.
Augustus himself stood proud and tall as the pirate continuously sent more and more without concern of defeat. Once his line became less than ten men Augustus felt searing pain in his right shoulder. Gritting his teeth, he swung his club underhand and the pirate crumbled like Athens. He huffed out a breath and swiped the soot-covered male off him like dust.
He walked out onto the empty battlefield and smirked. "Let the kid go and maybe we'll decide to be merciful."
The lead raider gulped. "Never," he said, obviously attempting to appear brave through his shaky voice.
"Rochus, Ciara," Augustine called.
For some reason, the remaining men were skewered by arrows and switch hand daggers.
Ciara slid down from her post and pierced the rope that held the talker in place. "Next time," she said, her tone stern, "try not to get kidnapped."
His nephew swallowed, gasping as if he'd gone three minutes without breathing. "Yes, milady. Thank you, milady."
Ciara made a sound of approval, which in turn, made the combatant roll his eyes. "Ryker," Augustus shook his head. "What have I told you about challenges?"
"Only accept if you know you will win," the sandy-haired teenager muttered.
He smirked. "Correct. Learn how to fight before fighting."
"You never let me!" His nephew protested.
"You're a talker," Elias joined, cleaning his ax. "Not a warrior."
"But he can be." Ciara disagreed, slipping her bow onto her back. She looked Ryker in the eyes. "Do you want to become a fighter? A mercenary?"
"Yes."
"Then don't let anyone," she shot Augustus a look over her shoulder, "tell you otherwise. You have to train, though."
"Might as well find another place to set up camp." Elias said. "It's getting late."
Dallas grunted and stood in a stance like a wild animal. His eyes flashed across the hills of green and orange, trying to find a new victim.
"Easy," Augustus smiled slightly. "We'll find a new war to fight."
"But what?" Rochus said, his eyes filled with an emotion the legend could not understand. "We fight wars everyday without getting any glory or having any purpose. What side to we fight for?"
"Ourselves." Ciara glared at him. "We do not need to pick sides. We fight to survive, and spread the Legend of Augustus. Not because we want glory."
"I never understood that," Elias commented. "I thought you hated your title."
"'Augustus: The Warrior,'" Ryker put in helpfully.
"I do not know what to think of it. I do not hate it, I simply prefer my other name."
"'Austin,'" his nephew told them, his tone slightly confused. "Why such a plain name, Uncle? You're known as a warrior! Not a simple villager."
Dallas made a rumbling sound in his chest, moving his head as if he agreed.
"I know," Augustus said. "But have you ever thought that instead of a fighter, you'd prefer living as a villager?"
"No," Rochus said immediately. At all the strange looks, he explained, "Because if I was a villager, I'd be murdered within seconds. All of our ancient homes were destroyed because of war, civilization, and greed. I'd rather be out here, protecting the safety of my family; instead of cowering in a place that would burn to the ground."
"Nice speech," Elias remarked, not at all affected by what he had just revealed to all of them. "I'd rather put it this way: If I was a villager, then I'd be a coward, waiting for a rescue that would never come. See? Short and straight to the point."
Ciara rolled her eyes and knelt down toward the soil. She inspected the ground for a moment, eyes narrowing and widening during so. "Chariots. Carried from, at most, two miles do south." She pointed in a direction toward Augustine's right. "The port they got it from must've been helping the pirates... or were slaughtered by the latter."
"And the Amazon Warrior strikes again," Elias smirked. "Always the servant of Diana."
"Huntress and Artemis, you fool!" Ciara screamed at him. She took a deep breath and met Augustine's eyes. "We can find the remains of a broken city, or we can find a new alliance. Do you suggest we take that chance?"
Augustus pressed his lips together, unconvinced. "What're the risks?"
"For the former: none. Perhaps an ambush or a trap but I do not see any other places the enemy could hide. For the latter: they could take us hostage. We've dealt with both before."
He turned to Rochus. "Take Dallas and make sure that the city is safe. Report back if it is empty or trying to repair itself."
Rochus nodded, motioning Dallas to follow. As always, Dallas looked to The Warrior for reassurance.
"Yes, my friend. Go with him."
He grunted and marched down the hill with Dallas. Augustine's eyes caught movement toward the west. He squinted his eyes; for a moment, he saw a large figure looming above the small valley lands. Then it disappeared.
"Ciara, Elias, west. Call for reinforcements if you spot ANYTHING. Understood?"
"Yes, Augustus," Ciara and Elias chorused, weapons at ready. They moved stealthily toward the hill he had spotted the silhouette. He wasn't sure if he had imagined it or if it was a trick for the ambush, but he wasn't going to risk it.
He turned to Ryker. "Tell me: Do you want to become a warrior? To follow my legacy?"
"Yes, Uncle Austin."
He smiled lopsidedly. "Then let's train."
Augustus bit his lip, inspecting the empty chariot. It was a beautiful creation, blood red with swirls of golden waves cascading smoothly along the edges like wind chimes. A large circular mold of silver was engraved in the front and back of the medieval ride. The wheels seemed to be made of both wood and bronze, a strange combination, but not necessarily the most horrible one.
Yes, Augustus thought. Ciara can shoot her Amazonian arrows while Rochus flicks ninja stars. Dallas can drive. Only Elias and I will ride alone.
"Where did you find it?" He asked the 'blessing of Artemis'.
She pointed toward the very center of the broken city. "After we came out with nothing toward the west, we joined Rochus and Dallas in the city. All of us recognized the shimmering of chariot immediately. We were trained as such."
Augustus nodded, looking at Elias. "What do you see?"
"'Arrow and Spear shall cross paths.'" The seer recited. "Arrow is no doubt our own Amazon warrior. Spear, however, can be anyone. The gods only reveal what they wish us to see. We will have to wait in order to find out."
"Anything else?" Ryker asked, eying Dallas trying to sniff his way to the remaining corpses.
The ax-handler tilted his head, his eyes turning gold. The fog cleared. "'Strength will lead Lost and Found to Hell.'"
"Lost and Found?" Rochus said, his facial expression grim. "What the hell is that? A poem?"
"A prophecy," Ryker corrected. "What does it mean? Hell?"
"It means two people are going to be mislead by a person they thought they could trust." Elias said calmly, continuously jabbing his weapon in seemingly random directions. "Though it could also mean you go to Hades the wrong way."
"To hell with that!" Rochus exclaimed. "We should be worrying about how we can move this chariot without a horse not some blasted poem!"
Ciara knelt down to the ground and studied the wheels carefully. "Wood and steel," she said. "With a good push I'd say this could go about a mile on its own—not uphill, though."
Augustine narrowed his eyes. "We cannot last at all with one bloody mile, Ciara. Is there any way we can move faster?"
"No, Augustus. You were raised in the army long enough to know that this chariot isn't going anywhere without a horse."
Dallas actually looked offended and grunted, gesturing to himself as if saying, Hey! I'm right here!
The warrior shook his head. "No, my friend. I will not allow you to carry all of us in that chariot for so many miles."
"Then what do you suggest, Hero?" Rochus sneered.
He turned to Ryker. "You know this territory even better than someone who's been trained to live in the wild. What's our best bet?"
His nephew scanned the area and sighed. "There's enough woods around here to keep the chariot hidden. I'd say the only thing we can do is to travel on foot and only use the chariot for when we are in battle."
"The kid has a point," Elias called out. "I see clearly a marsh that we can hide this huge thing in. The thing I don't see is where we're going to go. I see no civilization here for at least another three miles."
"Wilderness?" Augustus said.
Ciara nocked an arrow and shot it across the bowl-shaped plain and it fell into the deep chasm. "Another two days if we continue that way." She aimed for another hill. This time, though, it made its mark right in the center of the grassy sand-colored hill. She slipped her bow onto her back and nodded in the direction of her latest target practice. "Two days at most to get out of this place if we go that way. If my instincts are correct—and they always are—we'll reach a small lake by sundown. We can refill then head east toward society."
Rochus whistled. "Damn, girl. How'd you figure all that out by just shooting an arrow?"
"I carry the blessing of Artemis," Ciara said in a 'how do you not already know this?' tone. "Her huntresses follow her always; and we've been taught specifically to know anything and everything about the environment we are in. Also to always know where to go, if lost or unsure."
"Did you... um... prepare that or...?" Elias said.
Ciara glared daggers at him and Ryker cleared his throat. "Well then! Let's get a move on! Uncle?"
"I agree," Augustus announced. "We head do North, and then fill up on water... assuming the lake does not contain saltwater. We find Progress and move forward as we always do."
"What is that way?" Rochus asked, fingering his stake-like knives.
Ciara looked at their leader with uncertain eyes. She had been told beforehand about his dream and had protested that it could be a trap. Augustus agreed, but told her the prizes they all could earn. Her eyes had glazed over and, with great discomfort, reluctantly concurred.
"Athens," he answered his comrade. "I've made a deal with King Euripides."
"You what?!" Ryker, Elias, and Rochus shouted.
"You were banned!" Rochus argued.
"What was the deal?" Ryker asked.
"My vision!" Elias said.
Augustus sighed. "I know this is chaos; everything we've been through and believed will be broken. The deal is very hardcore... but I believe all of you will be pleased."
"Doubtful," Rochus coughed.
He gave him a glare and sighed. "You know I will not change my mind. We are going to hide this chariot, join King Euripide's forces, and defeat the evil Ravana."
"Wait!" Ryker cried, hastily bring out his small notepad. "So the Great Augustus defeats Ravana... King Euripides... Athens in jeopardy... chariot..."
Elias just rolled his eyes. "So what're we waiting for?! We're goin' to Athens!"
Yay! First chap is DONE!
So let me explain something: I put up a vote on the last chap of my last story to see which story I would write. But when I got to writing them... they sucked, to say the least. I was really happy with Hurricane until I realized I was turning it into a crossover. And I know that crossovers NEVER get as much publicity as the originals do.
I'm honestly a little nervous to see what you guys think of this story 'cause I'm excited about this storyline and don't know if you guys will like it...
But if you're a new reader to my stories: Hi! I'm Envy and I like warm hugs! c:
I'm always here if you need someone to talk to! I don't judge. And, again if you're new, I write extremely random disclaimers like I'm about to do! :)
(Random Sentence: Originally, these were too versions of the first chapter. Then I decided to be a troll and combine them. Tell me if I completely failed!)
Disclaimer—
*Takes place after LD&LC*
Ally: WHO IS THIS CIARA GIRL?!
Trish: WHY AM I NOT EVEN MENTIONED IN THIS STORY?!
Dez: *pouts* Where am I?
Austin: YEAH! I'M A WARRIOR! *flexes muscles*
Me: *winces* Yeah... hehe funny story... I kinda forgot about you Trish...
Trish: WHAT?!
Me: Sorry! I already have Dez's and Ally's spot planned (please be patient) but I sorta forgot about Trish until this disclaimer... Hehe, whoops.
Trish: WHOOPS!?
Dez: Ooh! What's my spot?
Ally: YOU STILL DIDN'T ANSWER WHO CIARA IS!
Me: It's Kira, Als. *rolls eyes*
Austin: THAT'S MY NICKNAME FOR HER!
Me: Too bad! *sticks tongue out*
Ally: Kira?! Why is Kira there?!
Trish: YOU FORGOT ME?!
Dez: Ooh! *snaps fingers in 'Z' shape* Dah-rah-ma!
All of us: *look at Dez weirdly*
Dez: What?
Austin: I agree with Als, though. Why'd you put Kira there?
Me: *shrugs* I don't really like Brooke and after her, Kira is the toughest girlfriend you've had. No offense, Ally.
Ally: You know just because you say 'no offense' that doesn't mean it's not offensive.
Austin: Hey! I've had tough girlfriends before!
Ally: You have? *crosses arms*
Austin: Um—um, um... *looks at Dez*
Dez: Sorry, buddy. *puts hand on shoulder* You're on you're own.
Trish: Can we focus on the real problem here? *points at me* SHE FORGOT ME!
Me: I said sorry! And I already found a role for you!
Trish: Ooh what is it?
Me: *sing-songs* Spoilers!
Dez: Oh snap!
Ally: *glaring at Austin* Eh hem.
Austin: Um... you don't compare to any of them?
Ally: Why do I hear question in your voice?
Dez: And that folks is how Austin Moon died by the hands of his girlfriend...
Me: It was a tragic loss that made America sob...
Trish: And made Trish de la Rosa lose the only job she ever liked... *glares at Ally* That's a lot, Als!
Austin: Still my nickname!
Ally: You have 10 seconds to run—
Me: Or 10 seconds to do my disclaimer! Your choice...
Austin: *speaking really fast* Envy doesn't own anything recognize! She doesn't even own the storyline, she just tweaked it a bit! That belongs to the creators of Hercules (2014) (movie)! She gives full credit to them and Kevin & Heath! *pants*
Me: *flicks wrist*
Ally: 9... *blinks* *looks around* What... where... where are we?!
Austin: *runs over to me* *hugs me* THANK YOU!
Me: Meh. No prob. ALLY HE'S HAD MORE GIRLFRIENDS THAN YOU KNOW.
Ally: What?!
Austin: ENVY!
Me: *smirks* Byeeee! *flashes out*
Haha, I'm so mean... *smiles evilly*
Soooooo... hi again? I dunno... ANYWAYS usually I have like a little tid bit or something and now...
Oh wait, I do!
PJO FANS MUST READ THIS! So, so. If you've read the Last Olympian more than once (which you should, it's really good) Michael Yew mentions an Apollo camper named Austin during the Battle of Manhattan. Coincidence?! I think not!
It's official everyone: Austin Moon is a demigod! Wooooooo!
Use that as you will! ;)
Person I think you should check out: My FF and Twitter bestie, maddiegirl56! That girl is amazing and keeps me up to date on all things R5! Her story 'When You Force A Friendship' is SO FREAKING AWESOME THAT IT'S UP THERE WITH THE MOST-REVIEWED STORIES IN THE A&A ARCHIVE! GO HELP HER MAKE IT TO 1,000!
I have a million ideas and sooo little time. I will try to please all of you amazing fanfictioners as much as I can. Just please be patient.
Another thing: I ship Brase now. I used to be like, Meh, whatever. But NOW, I think they are freakin' adorable together and am working on a Brase one-shot. If I get inspiration, I might write a Lab Rats story... but I highly doubt it.
I haven't decided on what PJO story to work on so...
Please review or PM me! Tell me whatcha think! Stay Rossome c:! EnvyNV out!