Hey chpt 12 is finally here and we finally get to seem some action! This chapter of course is dedicated to Miss Eskimojo, Classofthetitans711 and Snow . Thnx so much for your reviews, they made my day! (did you notice we got more than one review for once?) Anyway hope you enjoy!
_XJAYX_
I rested my back against the wall and sighed. Around me scrunched up pieces of paper littered the floor, the remains of my failed plans. My gaze drifted to the sword hanging on the opposite wall. I itched to grasp its hilt in my hand and stab something. It had been 6 weeks since anything had happened, too long since I had any action. Before I would have been glad that Cronus was holding off, it would have given me more time to be with Theresa. But now . . . I doubled over as pain surged through my chest. Was it normal to hurt this much when some one you love dies? I never remembered feeling like this when Than died.
His name left a sour taste in my mouth. He was just as much to blame for what happened as Cronus was. I know I would have no problem forcing my sword through his chest next time we meet. Unable to bear it any longer, I leapt across the room and curled my fingers around the sword. Giving it a few practise swings, I lunged forward but stopped when the tip grazed the wall. I may have been angry but my sense of self preservation was larger. I wouldn't be able to avenge Theresa if Athena killed me first. Eyeing the web of cracks already adorning my walls, I decided to leave my room.
As I walked towards the door, one of the photos from my desk caught my eye. It was taken the night of Theresa's birthday. Every one gathered happily together (Though Neil was eyeing Odie's cake like it was about to eat us) as we sat down stairs. Theresa was curled up on the couch with me but something was off. Stepping closer, I noticed she was looking away from the camera. Then it hit me, her eyes weren't their usual emerald green but glowing a faint aqua colour. Persephone had mentioned that she'd seen Theresa's eyes change colour before she died. Tears began to fill my eyes but I pushed them aside. I had never thought about it much but may be I still had a chance to find out what had happened.
Turning around I sprinted for the door. Chiron might have answers, he had to! I knew nothing would ever be able to bring her back to me but I needed to know what happened in those last few days. As I ran down the stairs I crashed into Atlanta. Jumping to my feet I offered her my hand when her expression hit me, she looked worried.
"What's wrong Atlanta?" I asked, trying to keep my voice neutral. She just stared at me accusingly.
"Ruby's disappeared; I can't find her any where!" Her emotion surprised me. Honestly aside from telling the dog to get out of the way, I hadn't given her a second thought. The idea of her gone though left me feeling empty. She was the only link we still had to Theresa. Atlanta was still staring at me waiting for a response. What could I say? I was eager to go to Chiron and investigate this new idea but at the same time I wanted to search for the dog. Atlanta's expression decided it all for me. I hadn't been fair to her or Ruby these past few weeks, the least I could do was help her find the husky. Theresa would have wanted that. I let my steel façade drop and reached out to touch Atlanta's shoulder reassuringly. She jumped back in surprise at the gesture; it was the first human emotion I had shown in front of my team in weeks.
"Let's go look for her," I said softly. Atlanta nodded and jumped to her feet. Archie was by her side within seconds followed by Herry and Odie. Neil found his way here eventually. I didn't need to say anything. We just walked out the door when my PMR rang. Curiously I opened it only to see Hermes frantic face.
"You need to get down to the beach quickly. Cronus is there but we don't know what his doing." At the mention of his name, my mood changed. The calm I felt briefly before melted away, replaced with pure rage.
"We'll be there!" I shouted snapping the device shut. The rest of my team noticed my change in attitude.
"What was that?" Odie asked nervously. I clenched my fist around the hilt of my sword.
"Cronus has been spotted down on the beach," I rasped, fighting to keep my voice even and failing. Atlanta's eyes lit up when she heard me. Herry pounded his fist into his palm and nodded. Archie had a hungry look in his eye as he stepped away from Atlanta to grab his whip.
"Cronus final decided to rear that ugly head of his?" He asked impatiently. I nodded.
"Today we finally face Cronus and avenge Theresa!" The others gave a shout of support and rushed towards Herry's truck. The air cracked with anger and anticipation. If only we were this wound up before every fight.
"What about the prophecy?" Neil yelled. He grasped Theresa's nun chucks in his hand. He was ready to fight just like the rest of us; I felt a surge of pride amongst my anger.
"Its dead Neil, but that doesn't mean we stop fighting." Giving me an eager look, he jumped in to Herry's truck and sat beside Odie. As we drove, I stared at the blood stains on the seat beside me. I would avenge my love today or join her trying.
_XHERRYX_-
My knuckles were white by the time we reached the beach. I pulled my truck to a halt just behind a large sand dune and tried to ease my iron grip from the wheel. Around me the rest of my team were jumping to their feet, weapons ready. Finally I worked my way out of the truck as Odie walked up to Jay.
"What's the plan Jay?" he asked glancing up at the pale sky. Dusk would be here soon. Jay smiled hungrily.
"Just the usual Odie, find Cronus and hit him with everything we've got!" Odie nodded and pulled out his laptop. With out thinking we split into two groups; Jay, Atlanta and Archie together in the first team and Neil, Odie and me forming the second. Jay's group moved stealthily around the left side of the dune, hiding behind the low shrubs and slowly working their way forward. Jay gestured to me and I ran around the other side of the dune, ducking behind a thick bush. Odie and Neil followed my lead. Through the bushes leaves, I could make out the ugly shapes of Cronus's giants. They patrolled up and down the beach looking bored. Cronus stood on top of a rocky outcrop with a smaller figure beside him. The figure turned to face him, his shoulder's hunched over.
"Why is this happening Cronus?" The small man demanded. I couldn't help shivering at the voice. It sounded all too familiar.
"Shut up Than, do you honestly think I care about your stupid teenage hormone problems?" Cronus snapped refusing to meet Than's heavy stare. Than stamped his foot and grasped the Lord of time's shoulder.
"You should care! When I went to the under world I couldn't find Theresa anywhere. What if the Gods have resurrected her?" Cronus snapped around and glared at Than, pulling his arm away forcefully.
"Imbecile! The gods don't have the power to raise her from the dead! You just didn't look hard enough!" Cronus grasped Than by the front of his shirt and sent him sprawling to the beach below.
I bit my tongue, what did that traitor mean by he couldn't find Theresa? On the other side of the dune, I could see the rigid silhouette of Jay. The leader gritted his teeth and raised his hand.
"Attack!" he cried, leaping out from behind the bush and charging straight at Cronus. The god looked up confused, eyes narrowing when he saw us.
"Finally the idiots emerge, Agnon?" The green giant followed his master's hand and galloped towards us. Already Archie and Atlanta were on their feet, breaking apart to take on separate opponents. I glanced back at Odie and Neil. Odie had found a large clump of wood he planned to use as a club. Neil pulled out Theresa's nun chucks and gave them an experimental twirl. When I was sure he wasn't going to knock himself out with them, I jumped from my hiding space and raced towards a red skinned giant. The giant crouched down and held his fists ready. At the last minute I dropped to the ground, sliding through the sand and under the ugly beast. As I slid, I grasped his arms and bought him tumbling down. A few kicks and punches later I left the brute bleeding and turned to see if Jay needed any help.
Jay stood opposite Cronus, sword raised in an offensive position. Cronus laughed and gestured towards him.
"Jay my boy, it's been a while hasn't it? How have you been?" He said mockingly.
"Cut the crap Cronus! You know why I'm here," Jay shouted back. Cronus shook his head and tsked.
"I thought the Gods would have taught you more manners, so disappointing. Oh well lets get on with it and finish this once and for all." Flexing his hand, Cronus summoned his scythe. Jay clenched his teeth and charged. His sword bore down on Cronus, fuelled by anger. Jay's moves were quick and precise as opposed to Cronus's almost graceful parries.
"You die today Cronus for what you did to Theresa!" Jay screamed shoving his sword through Cronus's chest. The god smirked and pulled the blade out slowly.
"That actually hurt. I'm sorry about dear Theresa but I'll be nice and let you join her," Cronus purred. Jay gripped his sword tighter and continued his assault on Cronus. I had been so caught up in watching their fight I didn't notice my own opponent getting to his feet. Before I knew it, I was flying through the air and colliding head on with a rock outcrop. As I dropped to the ground my left side burned with pain. Shakily I got to my feet.
"Alright now I'm really mad!" I roared rugby tackling the giant. We began to wrestle, slamming each other as hard as we could into the ground. To my right Atlanta swiftly dispatched her giant and ran to help Jay with Cronus. As Cronus saw Atlanta, his blood red eyes lit up.
"Stand down you idiots!" Cronus ordered to the giants. Confused the giants froze and looked at their master. We all stoped fighting, Atlanta even stopped mid stride to look at Cronus through narrowed eyes. Jay stood beside Cronus, panting and blood stained.
"No more games Cronus!" he yelled taking on a defensive stance. To our surprise Cronus nodded.
"You're right Jay; let's settle this here and now. You," he gestured towards us.
"All want revenge on me for what I did to Theresa correct?" he stepped back and opened his arms.
"Come and get me then!" there was a hint of sarcasm in his voice. I looked to Jay for orders but he simply nodded.
"Fine then!" Jay shouted. Immediately we began to close in. Atlanta lunged at Cronus but he stepped to the side at the last minute.
"Sloppy," Cronus commented as Archie bought his whip down along Cronus's cheek. The god hissed in pain but it didn't slow him down. Gritting my teeth, I charged the god, wrapping my arms around his waist and squeezing. Some how though he managed to wriggle free of my iron grip and kick me to the ground. Cronus gazed over towards the sand dunes and smiled.
"Neil, Odie, would you like to try your luck?" Neil pulled out Theresa's nun chucks and sprinted towards Cronus. The god tried to dodge but Neil managed to land one or two good blows on him... Theresa would have been proud! Unfortunately Odie wasn't so lucky, let's just say his aim sucked.
We continued our assault, closing in around Cronus. As we continued to fight I noticed Odie's movements becoming slacker. The genius kept looking around like some thing didn't make sense. I dismissed his actions and focused on my enemy. By now we held a tight ring around Cronus, the guy couldn't move.
"Well played, well played!" the god shouted joyously. Odie suddenly froze and looked behind us.
"Oh crap!" he mouthed. Cronus smiled.
"Well played by me!" his hand shot into the air.
"Than when you're ready?" my gaze snapped around to the man standing on the rock behind us. The wind whipped around him as he smiled cruelly.
"Like sheep to the slaughter," he mused spreading his arms wide. Fire crackled from his body, surrounding us. We looked around desperately but there was no way out. Cronus laughed and vanished appearing on the other side of the fire. It took a moment for everything to sink in. We were the ones trapped!
"Darn it we've been played," Odie snapped. Jay's head shot up and he glared at Cronus.
"Coward, come and fight!" He screamed at the god. Cronus shrugged.
"I'd rather not," he purred flexing his fingers. Ropes materialised around us, lashing us together. I struggled against the ropes but they wouldn't budge. It was no use; all of us were bound together and helpless.
"Ah Jay, so sorry your efforts were wasted, though I did enjoy watching you rage," Cronus squatted down to stare Jay in the eye.
"Chin up though, the world may be doomed but you should be happy. I'm sending you straight to your beloved. Dear Theresa won't mind your failure I think." The god paused looking thoughtful.
"Say hello to her for me would you Jay?" He laughed raising his scythe above Jay.
"Just because I know you're so eager to reach her, I'll kill you first." I cringed away as the scythe dropped.
Cliff hanger again! Will Jay and the others end up perishing? Review and you'll find out!
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