Ch 10: Return

The last Six days of training had been the hardest as Yin folded his newer clothes placing them inside his backpack. The ones he wore now were from when he had marched from camp Kronos. His simple black T-shirt had various pockmarks and cuts. His old worn jeans had the same issue. The only thing that was new and within sight was his black and red backpack. Also he had mis mortal machete strapped to his bag for good measure. Before the son of Prometheus was a giant cave opening with ancient ruins carved into its arch.

"home at last." Yin said with a faint smile knowing Stopwatch and his camp was far behind him now. Yin walked forward his body vibrating as he passed through the mouth of the cave. If anything besides a demititan had done this they would be a pile of ashes.

The cave was long and down hill with almost no lighting save a few torches randomly spread out. The path was easy to probably because Yin had failed to find any off branch or fork. But titans was it a long walk Yin's legs began burning just as he saw light ahead. The son of Prometheus covered his eyes as he broke out of the cave and into the massive opening of Diana's mountain base.

On ether side of Yin stood the mass of both Demi'se and Diana's troops in full armor and shields locked. The troops bore uneasy looks as Yin advanced towards two soldiers in crimson armor. Yin stopped within striking distance of the shorter of the two.

"Tell me Yin why should I not kill you here and now?" Demi'se said in a leveled tone.

"because I know how to retrieve the Spear of Fire." Yin said walking past the two patting Demi'se on the back. "Order a war briefing we march tomorrow at sun down."

"well he has an air of confidence to him." Diana whispered still holding a golden scroll that held a very high placement for Yin. "should we kill him?"

"no power hasn't gotten to his head." Demi'se sighed turning to face the mass of their troops. "You are all dismissed!"

The troops disbanded going back to their tents or the bar depending on their preferences. Demi'se sighed as he sprinted to catch up with Yin who had no idea where to go.

"Demi'se do know that I don't underestimate you and still have respect for you." Yin said continuing to walk through a mass of tents. "and that being said we still need to march... Rhea is also looking for the Spear and she is showing her true colors."

"that's all fine and daisy Yin but what the hell happened out their?" Demi'se asked as the two came to a stand still. It was clear Yin had much more definition to him with only a T-shirt on. It was scary how deadly he looked. His bangs nipped at his eyes the rest of his hair hung raggedly at chin level. "you fought like a demon each blow meant to-"

"kill. Yeah you could say that after being attacked by Rhea and having five ribs broken gave me incentive to bring it all." Yin said leaving everything about Stopwatch out. "ether way I am here now and we have a prisoner or three to retrieve."

"wait what the hell?!" Demi'se asked his voice rising. "I thought you said we were marching for The actual Spear of Fire."

"we need a map first... And possibly the children of Helios and Selene." Yin said with a wicked grin. "now where am I going?"

"follow me Diana is gathering the others." Demi'se said taking point. "Alanna has been worried... In short she missed you."

"As I missed her." Yin said solemnly as the two approached a building with neon signs reading; Merman Lagoon. "really a bar?"

"technically there isn't any alcohol only ancient Brews so to speak." Demi'se said carefully as he knocked four times. The door swung open letting loose the sound of a heavy party. There was dubstep playing and Demititans dancing or sitting drinking what looked like beer. "It's basically godly nectar but with a titan spin. We call it ancient wine. As I said no alcohol but titans can it give you a hangover."

"good to know." Yin said noticing Yang passed out at the bar with fifteen massive glasses around him all empty. "so Yang has been copping."

"huh if that's what you call failing a baseline test and not showing up for practice." Demi'se laughed as the two approached a heavy metal door. "okay beyond this door lays the mysteries of this base and-"

"mostly the skunked Ancient wine." Alanna's voice said from behind Yin. "long time no see-"

Alanna was cut off by Yin hugging her and planting a kiss on her cheek.

"I've missed you so much." Yin paused as he held her close. "the only reason I could keep going was because of you."

Alanna didn't know what to say when she first came here she was going to demand answers for why he had killed people. But now it seemed clear looking into his eyes that he was in pain for what he had done. Alanna could tell when something effected Yin and right now she knew he hated himself for what he did. Words finally came to Alanna as she held on to Yin something the children of Prometheus were known for.

"I never thought you were dead." Alanna said knowing it wasn't the most romantic thing to say. Though she needed to have certainty this wasn't a dream. "not once for the past month."

"I know..." Yin said as Alanna pulled back looking him over. Yin had definitely grown more solid his body way more defined than a month previous. Not to mention Yin's hair was much shorter and far more ragged. Also he had a machete strapped to his backpack. She smiled just happy the Yin she once knew was back. "okay Demi'se lets get this meeting started."

"very well." Demi'se said very happy to have a break from the romance before him. The son of Hyperion knocked twice then kicked the door open. The smell of hard work and secrets hit Yin's nose as they advanced down a set of stairs. It was dark with just enough light for Yin to see three figures standing in the center of the basement. All were still in armor from Yin's arrival. "so we are all here?"

"yes." Diana's voice called from the darkness as Demi'se Alanna and Yin joined the group. "before we start this meeting Yin child of Prometheus you have yet to complete a baseline test."

"okay so let me get this straight you knocked me out and threw me into the middle of nowhere and still think I need to take a test to prove something?" Yin asked his voice calm despite the stupidity he was hearing.

"well that is correct everyone here has taken a Baseline test besides you." a girl who Yin didn't know answered. "where we the top brass know of your skill other do not. Also to lead or join a Op outside of our Base you need to score above Fifty points. The highest was 176. Hasn't been beaten yet."

"thank you Esther for clarifying." Diana said looking Yin over. "now we can start your tests tomorrow at Nine am. If you pass then we'll see what info you have as far as the Spear of fire. As for now this meeting is adjured."

Yin was about to protest but Alanna shot him a dangerous look so he kept quite. Something was different with her since Yin had been thrown to the woods. She looked the same unlike Yin who was more defined and had shorter hair. No she looked almost more in charge? Yeah that had to be it.

"best of luck Yin." Esther said with a smile as the members of the meeting filed out of the basement. Yin started up the stairs Alanna following close behind. The son of Prometheus had a feeling tomorrows tests would be a breeze.