It's been so long since I've updated! Sorry about that! Homework always gets crazy right before spring break, and then I went on vacation. Anyway, here's the next chapter!
Chapter 10: Shaking in Their Combat Boots
At first, the offer was intriguing. Had the four of them actually thought they would be able to defeat an entire army of vicious monsters? Maybe giving up was the best option. Sure, one of them would have to serve as Cronos's body, but that person could be satisfied in knowing that her friends were safe. Right? The four young women were very conflicted, but then another thought occurred to them. What had their godly parents ever done to earn their loyalty? They had claimed them, that's what.
Then, the four demigods collectively shook their heads, ashamed that they had even considered it.
"We will never surrender!" Julie yelled, drawing her sword and pointing it directly at the messenger.
"I second that," Alice added, making an obvious gesture of taking an arrow from her quiver.
"I also agree with Julie," Marie said, drawing her own sword.
"We will defend Olympus at all costs!" Riley exclaimed, thrusting her spear into the air.
"Very well," responded the zombie-like creature. "I suppose you leave me no choice in the matter."
If anything good can be said of this army, it was that it certainly didn't waste time. Almost immediately after the decision had been made, a faint rumbling was heard in the distance. Julie, Alice, Marie, and Riley recognized the noise all too well, and it made them want to vomit. It was the sound of hundreds upon hundreds of monsters charging after their prey. The rumbling grew steadily louder, meaning the army was getting steadily closer. The demigods did their best to keep confident looks on their faces as they waited, but they were still trembling.
"We can do this, alright! We just have to believe in ourselves!" Julie exclaimed. This was especially difficult for Marie. She had never really believed in herself, not to mention these last ten years. Nevertheless, the other girls readied their weapons in response to Julie's encouragement.
The army arrived faster than was humanly possible. Then again, they weren't human. The army was made up of hellhounds, Cyclopes, as well as other less recognizable creatures. With a great cry, the women charged toward the beasts.
Julie ran at the Cyclops even as it ran at her. The large hand reached down, but Julie swiftly dodged it. Leaping, she managed to stab the monster in its knee. With a great bellow, the Cyclops bent down to rub at its wound. Julie used this opportunity to kick the creature firmly on its heel. Since the Cyclops was momentarily unbalanced, this blow caused to fall forward onto the concrete. Then, Julie jumped onto its back, and plunged her sword in as far as it would go. Satisfied that it was dead, she pulled the sword back out and prepared to move on. She didn't see the other Cyclops coming up behind her.
Meanwhile, Alice had run into a small alley in between two buildings. She was currently confronting three hellhounds. All three were snarling and inching towards her menacingly. Alice felt confident, however, and she quickly fit an arrow to her bow. She let it fly, and it landed squarely in the forehead of the hellhound directly in front of her. The creature fell, and its companions were greatly angered. Alice quickly finished off the other two, and, after reclaiming her arrows, turned to go back to the street. A noise stopped her, however. As if they had sensed what had happened to their companions, four more hellhounds ran around the corner, barking uncontrollably. This so startled Alice that she dropped her bow and the three arrows she had been holidng.
As for Riley, she was killing monster after monster with her spear. She got a grim sort of pleasure from watching her enemies crumple to the ground in front of her. After defeating her latest foe, Riley took a deep, relaxing breath. This brief moment of peace was disturbed when Riley turned with a gasp to the sound of running feet behind her.
That's the end of this chapter! Hope it was worth the wait!
Thanks so much to the guest who gave this story its first review! It was a lovely review at that. Hopefully that will inspire more people to review. The more the merrier!