38

Isis sat beside me and Little Tree. It's been one hour and Little Tree was sitting beside me refusing to sleep. He was making all kinds of sounds as he had been crying. For once I did not blame him for being a male and showing such emotions. A part of me was where he was right now. Every time someone grew close to us, Isis growled lowly and they moved on.

She was smart to do that. I did not want to look at anyone right now nor did I want to talk to anyone. But all I knew right now is that whatever happened after tonight, I will be coming for Hades tonight, all by myself if I have to. I then feel Little Tree gently rest his head on my side. His mandibles clicked softly.

"Mama will not die…will she?" he asked lowly. I shrilled in reply and lifted my hand and placed it on his head. That's all I could really do right now. Ze'Kala and Prince arrived along with Elder Chucka and some of his generals. Isis gave a low growl and they all stopped a few feet from us.

"All of the warriors are ready to go tonight to war against the Stone warriors. They have not only gravely offended your clan, but now they have offended me." Chucka said in a hardened tone. Ze'Kala nodded in agreement.

"We spoke to Scar, your brother. Your warriors are ready to fight as well." he said. I was silent for a moment and I just looked down at my son who didn't seem to be listening. Suddenly, I hear the steps from behind me, and I turn and see Two Emeralds coming out. I stand up quickly and Little Tree does the same. She comes down the steps and looks up at me with silence.

I could not read her face at all, and that scared me.

"The gods will not have her tonight," she replied. A large sigh of relief left me, and Little Tree just looked between us. "She lost a lot of blood, and it will take a while for her hybrid blood to fully heal her."

I nodded slowly.

"Can I see her?" I asked. She nodded and placed her hand on my shoulder. Other females left the hut with bloody robes in their hands, her robes. I looked down at Little Tree and scoop him up in one hand. I looked back at the other elders, my eyes somewhat dark.

"Wait for my call." I merely replied, and I carried my son inside the hut. It was quiet as we entered. Everything felt soft and it smelled nice in here. Leaves were burned in small pots around her body to soothe the air around her. I winced as I looked at her.

Napalla…she's lying beneath numerous furs, her hair sprawled out and her skin was still pale. I let Little Tree down and slowly we moved over to her and got down on our knees beside her. I just stared at her, her eyes closed so calmly. She looked to be dead, but I could see her chest moving slowly. I watched as Little Tree lied down beside her, but he did not let his body touch hers. He just curled up there beside her.

I continued to stare down at her body. Slowly rage was building inside me. Hades sent warriors to kill me and my family. They underestimated us and it cost them their lives, but my family still was hit by them. I looked down at my son who just had his eyes closed as well. I then lifted my hand towards him and let my fingers roll from the top of his head down all the way to his toes. He opened his eyes and looked up at me shocked by my actions. His mother was the only one to ever do this.

"Watch over your mother son." I commanded and stood up from my current position. He sat up and watched me move towards the entrance of the hut.

"Are you going to kill the warriors who did this?" he asked. I stopped for a moment and nodded.

"Yes." Was my only reply before walking outside. I left the hut and looked up at Isis who looked down at me. Even though I walked past her, she did not move from her spot in front of the hut. She knew her mission as I knew mine. I returned to my temple and silence and I merely glanced at Ze'Kala and Chucka as I passed. Once I passed, they placed their masks on in unison and followed me. As they did Chucka's warriors began to follow behind their elders. The Red Arrow clan followed their clan leader right behind him. Now my warriors followed right behind the rest. We were about eight hundred all together, and for me that was enough. I just wanted Hades…

Normal POV

Napalla's voice: Are you, are you coming to the tree? They strung up a man, they say who murdered three. Strange things did happen here no stranger would it be if we met at mid night in the hanging tree.

The three warrior clans armed and weaponized moved through the trees of the territories fully camouflaged and were silent as ever. They were like ghosts as they jumped from the trees and then were gone in a flash. No one was tired, no one was wounded, and everyone was ready to fight.

Are you are you coming to the tree? Where did men called out for his love to flee. Strange things did happen here no stranger would it be. If we met at mid night in the hanging tree. Are you are you coming to the tree, where I told you to run so we'd both be free. Strange things did happen here no stranger would it be. If we met at midnight in the hanging tree.

The remaining clan stayed behind and formed a circle around the hut where the sleeping priestess lied with her son curled up with her. The same circle they formed when she was given her title was how they formed now only this time they sang the songs they were used to hearing her sing.

"Are you are you coming to the tree, where I told you to run so we'd both be free. Strange things did happen here no stranger would it be. If we met at mid night in the hanging tree." they sang. They did not care if the song did or did not hold meaning in the human world, but for their priestess they would sing it to her if it brought the Mother of Elites back to them, if it brought back Napalla the Marked one. They singed on louder and stronger together.

Ra led his warriors into enemy territory with the song on his mind and with thoughts of his beloved lying in the bed without him. As they came upon Stone warriors who were keeping watch, they quickly grabbed them and slit their throat in silent before lying them on the ground and moving on. They slowly and cautiously continued to cut down their enemy defenses and soon would be upon the rocky path to move through in order to surprise their enemies. Storms rolled in and the sky grew dark. Ra honestly, hoped that Hades wasn't surprised. With the technology the enemy clan had, they would surely know they were there and come for them head on which is what he wanted. When they made it to the path, some of the Red Arrow clan scaled the walls to make it to the top as back up in case the enemy was at the top. Ra and his warriors, all masked looked around the walls, as they began to walk through it. It was a tunnel and it was large enough for a battle to take place. Ra led the warriors through with Ze'Kala and Chucka behind him.

Rain began to come down, and Ra looked around at the many rocks and boulders around them. He then stopped and raised his fist and the entire clan stopped and looked around. Ra was the only one who did not wear his camouflage. Everyone else did, so it looked like he was the only one walking in the dark tunnel. But he could see, he could see everything. He inhaled some and looked at the figure coming at him. It was Hades. He was in large armor with his large ax in hand. Two pairs of mammoth tusks stuck from his mask and it seemed he too had his army hidden away behind him.

Hades growled some and looked up at the sky as the rain fell.

"Ahh a perfect time for a battle. I got to say Ra I was not expecting you to react as fast as you did to my little sneak attack." he replied. Ra was silent for a moment as he too looked up at the sky. He closed his eyes for a moment and then slowly looked back down at Hades. His eyes were dark and filled with blood lust. He had to revert back to this state of murder and mindlessness. Trophies were all that mattered, he told himself. He had to tell himself this or else thoughts of his family would weaken his mind in battle.

"The trophies for this battle are anything you can take…But your head is mine." he said in a deathly tone pointing his sword at Hades. Steam could be seen as the rain his the blade. Hades roared loudly and took the first steps to beginning the war. Ra followed right after him starting at a light jog, and his warriors followed right behind him uncloaking themselves. Hades' warriors roared out and did the same. Everyone was running with strength, their blades and weapons out ready for the fight of their lives. Like a wave of water they collided and smashed into each other like thunder.

Napalla's POV

My eyes snapped open and I gave a gentle gasp. My eyes moved about the area looking for something that was familiar to me. I then feel warmth beneath me, and I look down slowly to see Little Tree curled up into me. I blinked a few times and gently smiled. I let my fingers gently touch his head and move down his body. His eyes opened slowly at the feeling and he looked up at me, his big brown eyes looking up at me. Soon they began to widen.

"Hello War." I whispered slowly sitting up.

"Mama!" he yelled and jumped on me. I groaned and fell right back down as he hugged me.

"Hey hey, I am alright." I lied. I was honestly in pain. I looked around for a moment. "Where is your father?"

He just looked up at me and looked around for a bit and then got up and just left. I was tired and felt pain in my stomach. I looked over my body to see leaves were over the spot above my navel. Oh yes, now I remember. Stone warriors came. Ra…where was Ra? I looked up at someone entered. It was Lex and Sora.

"Lex what happened?" I asked, then heard singing from outside. It sounded like chanting, but the lyrics were very familiar. Lex's eyes were puffy from crying.

"You were wounded by Stone warriors who came into your temple last night. We thought you were dead, but you pulled through." she said. Now Two Emeralds came in and I looked at her.

"Good you are alright." she said with relief.

"I am…where is Ra?" I asked looking between the women. Two Emeralds gave me a look of strength.

"To war." she replied. My eyes flexed some and I groaned at the pain in my stomach. "Rest and regain your strength. Now it is in the god's hands. I will tell the tribe their priestess is alive and strong as ever."

With that said she left and I looked back at Lex to see she was looking at me worried.

"My sister was wounded, my mate and brother are out fighting a war. I was afraid for everyone, Napalla. I was afraid I would lose everyone in one day." she admitted. I looked at her and motioned for her to come closer. We curled up together, and Little Tree came over and joined us so now it was just us and our children. Little Tree poked at Sora's legs and such.

"I am not going anywhere. And I share your worries now that I am okay. I want our mates to come back as well. They are strong." I replied. She nodded looking down at Sora's face. Her dread locks were coming in as well and her mandibles were sharpening.

"You know even after everything has happened…I still would not choose to go back to earth even if something were to happen to my family." she replied. I nodded as I watched her.

"Neither would I." I replied softly placing my head against hers.