S Chapter 18

Silence. I had no response for what Orcus had just said

"What?!" I finally spit out.

"Don't you see, you have played right into my hands, foolish demigod!" He said. I didn't understand what was going on, but based on the cliche bad guy look on his face, I didn't like it.

"What are you talking about?" I asked. "And what do you mean 'finally attained'?"

"Well, I suppose it's too much for a demigod such as yourself to fully understand." He said.

"Just give me a straight answer!" I demanded. "Where did you just get that stone from?"

"Are you really do dense? I got it from you, of course!" He replied.

"Don't you understand that this whole quest was just one big scheme to bring you here so I could be set free and enact my revenge." He said.

". . . what? what did you just say?" I asked shakily.

"Did you not hear me? You have fallen for my plan, not only were you fooled, but you have also brought the stone of souls straight to me!" He stated joyfully.

I was about to explode with anger when there was suddenly a shimmer in the air next to Orcus. The shimmer sooner turned to bright for me to watch, forcing me to look away.

Once I looked back, I saw none other than Ares, the god of war himself.

"Ares...Ares, what's going on! Why are you here!" I asked confused.

Instead of answering me, Ares completely ignored me.

"You got the stone right? Finally, took you long enough." Ares grunted to Orcus.

"Hurry up, you need to escape while hades is occupied."

"Im well aware," replied Orcus. "But as you can see, I have a problem to deal with first."

Ares apparently had just now noticed me, his face analyzing the situation he was in.

"You haven't taken care of the kid yet?" He asked. "You really are wastin my time."

"Don't worry, Ares. I was getting to that, I just needed to get the stone safely first."

"ARES! ANSWER ME!" I yelled. I needed an explanation, quick.

"What kid? Oh you wanna know what's going on, huh? Well I guess there isn't a problem since you won't be around for much longer." He said.

"Well you see kid, me and Orcus got a little deal. Right now, I'm just securing my end." He said.

"All I had to do was make sure you made your way to the underworld alive once Orcus here started your quest. And now it's time for Orcus to fulfill his terms.

Start a war among the gods."

"...what?! Ares! How could you work with the guy who's trying to kill the gods! Don't you get that means the Olympians?!" I asked. I couldn't believe my ears.

"Are you stupid, I'm the god of war. A war between the olympians is truly worth all this trouble." He replied.

"And if you want to know about that stone, you better ask Orcus, he's the best to explain." He finished.

"Hmm, what? Oh the stone, yes. You wish to know where it came from? Well that's pretty obvious. Like I stated earlier, within yourself." He said.

"What are you talking about, Orcus" I asked, all of this information was too much for me.

"I suppose I must explain, very well then." Orcus said with a sigh. "But in all honesty, there are some things that still don't make too much sense"

"Such as...?" I asked hesitantly.

"I'll get to that." Replied then god.

"But in short, the stone itself is tied to your very life force, intertwined with your fate." He said. "As soon as you were born, the stone became part of you."

"What...? That makes no sense Orcus. Why would a relic so old be connected with me?! And if it was, why has the stone just now gone missing?! Stop lying to me Orcus!"

"Like I said, demigod, I don't know everything. But someone, presumably with great power, hid the stone within you. And as to why it appeared only recently is simple.

Whoever did put the stone in you made it so the stone would appear when you became of age."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Ares stepped in. "He means the stone wouldn't appear until you started to realize your heritage as a demigod." He said.

I thought for a second.

"But what was the point?" I asked finally.

"What was the point of putting the stone in me?"

Orcus took a deep breath before replying.

"I would love to tell you demigod, but as i said, I do not know. But I don't see how that information would be helpful to a dead man." He finished branding his battle axe.

But before Orcus could make a move, a massive tremor ran through the cave.

"What was that?" Orcus asked after the shaking stopped.

Ares scowled before replying. "Nothing, but I have to go deal with something on the surface, hurry up and finish the brat off." Ares said, as he snapped and disappeared.

Orcus had a thoughtful expression before turning to me.

"Well I guess this is the end of your quest demigod, you did good making it here, but I'm afraid this is as far as you go." Said Orcus.

I stayed still and gripped my scythe tighter but kept my head down.

"No witty comeback? I suppose there's nothing much for you to say in this position, huh?" Orcus said with a sickly grin.

But I wasn't worried at all. In fact, I was a feeling pretty good. I looked at Orcus with a smile of my own that slowly turned into a chuckle.

Orcus's expression quickly changed.

"What's so funny demigod? You don't really think you stand a chance against me, do you?"

"Your right Orcus, I probably should be afraid of you. But you just told me some crucial bit of information." I replied.

"And that is..?" He asked

"Well, the stone of souls is part of me, right? And as long as I'm alive it's connected to me?" I asked.

"Yes demigod, what are you getting at?" Orcus asked irritated.

"Nothing, but I just want you to know that you brought upon your own downfall."

I jerked my hand out towards Orcus and focused.

"Wha-?!" Orcus exclaimed.

Before Orcus could react, the stone of souls flew out of his hand and landed in mine.

"It seems that your in quite the predicament." I mocked.

Orcus's eyes blazed green with fury, making it look like he was about to explode. When it seemed like he was about to pop, he turned his head down, and went quiet.

**silence**

After a moment he raised his head again.

In a demonic voice, he spoke...

"You have just made, a grave mistake demigod."

Its back, i guess.