Chapter 12: The Guardian of the Underworld
A few minutes later, the hydra woke up. It looked around, confused.
What happened? Caudus asked. It saw its friends and gasped.
"Caudus, look out!" Pandora yelled, as Mars flew at him.
The god growled and landed in front of it. "You may have been freed from the corruption but you are still the Guardian of the Underworld," he said.
Caudus nodded in understanding. It stood and looked at its friends. I'm sorry, but I can't leave here, it told them.
Ares and the others looked at each other, then back to Caudus. They understood. "Well at least, not for long," Pandora said, smirking. She would know.
"This is different," Mars said. "Underworld Guardians can't leave. They are bound to the underworld, to death, forever. Just like spirits of the dead can't."
Pandora sighed and nodded. Suddenly, Ares transformed back into a wolf and pounced on Mars again. Hades ran for Licinus, only to be stopped by Caudus.
Don't touch him.
Hades smirked. "You can't tell me what to do. Besides, since you are part of the Underworld now, I own you. You must do what I say. I'm your Master."
Not so much anymore, Caudus growled. Hades was confused, until Ares spoke.
"He will still obey your orders but has his own free will now," the wolf told Hades.
"But how, I-" Hades started to say, but stopped himself. "You!" he roared, glaring at Ares. "You did this!"
Ares chuckled and nodded. "I did," it told him. "I transformed into Apollo's Bow and freed him from the corruption."
"No! I can't allow this!" Hades said, turning back to Caudus, readying his attack, but Pandora interrupted him with a punch to the face.
"It doesn't matter. Ares magic blocks any attempts to corrupt him from now. Guess you've got a servant who can do your orders his way now," she said.
The god looked at the spirit as she vanished into the box. Hades sighed and looked at Caudus. "I'll be watching you down here," he warned.
Caudus nodded. Ares was still brawling Mars, and Athena was still fighting his avatar.
The avatar sneered. "You can't defeat me," it said. "Not while I have control."
Ares was currently biting in Mars side as he said, "Then I gueff we haf ta chafge tha" he said as best he could.
The dragon growled. "You can't get my consciousness out of Articulos. He'll have a split personality forever, but I'll take control from time to time."
Ares started to feel nervous. He didn't want to lose Articulos again.
"Keep fighting Athena. He'll snap out of it eventually," Ares roared.
The goddess nodded. She looked at Articulos and drew her sword. Argentum and Hades were fighting for Licinus once again. Caudus couldn't fight, as he was still recovery from the arrow.
That's not your son! The Cerberus roared at Hades.
"He will become Mars' best warrior and servant. You cannot take him," Hades growled, not noticing Pandora was slowly creeping up behind Licinus. The spirit grabbed Licnus and vanished into the box with him. Argentum smirked.
We already have.
Hades whirled around to see Licinus gone. He roared in frustration. "They've got the son! We have to retreat!" Hades yelled at Mars.
Mars growled, but agreed. The avatar groaned in pain as its split persona vanished into its mind. Before it could do anything, Mars grabbed his avatar in his claws and flew off. Ares growled. It looked around for Caudus but the hydra was gone.
"Where's Caudus?" it yelled.
"He's doing his new duty," Pandora said. "Down here."
Caudus was standing near the portals, watching them. He turned to face them. You must leave, he said. The living cannot be down here.
"Could you help us fight in the future?" Athena asked, and Caudus nodded.
Not for long, though. Only about fifteen minutes to a half hour.
"That could be helpful. I must ask you; you can see many areas of the world with the portals there correct?" Ares asked.
The hydra nodded. I can. Why?
"I'm offering you a position here. Not just to be the Underworld's Guardian, but the god's messenger. If you see anything that you think the gods should know about, you could report that and we will check in on that. Also, you could report to us what Mars is doing anywhere. Will you take this offer? I know you wanted a job where you could help the gods," Ares said, smiling.
Caudus shook his nine heads. I can't.
"Why not?"
I can't leave here remember? My job as the Guardian is more important. Besides, I still have to obey Hades, even if I have my free will. he responded, looking gloomy.
Ares understood. "Very well," it said. "You're going to be the Guardian forever, anyway."
Caudus nodded.
Can you at least spy on Mars for us? Argentum asked, hopefully.
The hydra thought about it. I don't know. I might be able to send you visions, but only if they are here.
"Or if they were to run by one of the portals?" Athena asked. Caudus thought about it and nodded.
Yes, it said.
"Perfect. We need to head off. Flamma is still at the cave by herself and we need to check on her. We promise we will release you from Hades' hold, Caudus," Ares said.
The hydra smiled. You don't need to. I have free will now.
They nodded, and left.
