Disclaimer: I don't own. I just write.
Writer's Note I: Hey everyone! I started writing this some time ago, but I ended up getting sick. But then I got through being sick, so here's a chapter for everyone to enjoy.
Oh, and it's my birthday. Here's a gift from me to you!
The Last Shinto Kami
Chapter Five: Trojan War I
After returning home to Greece from his trip east, Naruto was stunned by what happened while he was gone. In recent years, Naruto's home had been swallowed by the flames of war. How one woman was able to start a war that consumed the Greek world still made Naruto's head spin. No matter where he went, they whispered about her. Helen of Troy, the face that launched a thousand ships.
Naruto knew that name through word of mouth. Some years back, he recalled a contest over who would claim Helen's hand in marriage. It became a hotbed that every Achaean King involved himself in. Naruto himself never looked into the gossip, but evidently, the winner's union with Helen wasn't strong enough to prevent the grip of war.
Paris of Troy was the man who eloped with Helen. As if his actions weren't bad enough, somehow, Paris made the theft of a queen worse. Under the insincere guise of diplomacy, he made off with Helen while King Menelaus was off burying his dead uncle, Crateus. Even the most simple simpleton knew this treachery wouldn't stand.
'How one man could be this foolish and brazen is beyond me. He must've known retaliation would come.' And Menelaus brought the total weight of his fury in response. Menelaus called forth the other Achaean Kings to honor the agreement that tied them together during their days as suitors for Helen.
Per the terms set before Helen's wedding to Menelaus, Tyndareus of Sparta demanded that every one of his daughter's suitors honor the marriage, no matter who won Helen's hand. They agreed. And so, today, those same men and their armies were gathered in Aulis to do just that.
But this wasn't the first expedition to Troy. This date marked the alliance's second attempt at crossing the Aegean to recover Helen. Add this to the list of things Naruto had trouble reconciling. Had he really been in the east for eight entire years? Maybe there was some credibility to Nyx's constant remarks of time meaning little to immortals like them.
Speaking of his godly sister, the vagrant sun god couldn't shake the thought that this was somehow the fault of the Greek Gods, the Olympians chief among them. Naruto learned during his time among the mortals that in Greece, one shouldn't pass events off as chance. No, things occur because of fate. And fate was another word for the will of the divine beings living on Olympus.
The only thing keeping Naruto from confirming his suspicions was Nyx's disappearance. With his inside source having gone to ground, all Naruto could do was make assumptions based on the partially correct thoughts of the mortals. To this end, the hidden solar son had to make a crucial choice.
He chose war. In Naruto's opinion, he would find the answers to his questions by partaking in this Trojan War. Plus, fighting with them was the best way for Naruto to help the mortals stuck in this gruesome game of scorned love. This rationale helped convince the sun god to take up arms against Troy.
However, Naruto-Omikami knew he couldn't face this battle as a god. He must do battle as a mortal would. He accomplished this by placing a seal on himself. Not only would it contain his divinity, but it'd also change his physical appearance for good measure.
The changes in his appearance paid homage to the woman his Kaa-chan planned on giving Naruto to before Chaos intervened. The sides of Naruto's head were shaved clean. His hair, now a ruby red, was pulled into a single thick braid. Which went down to the middle of Naruto's back. And his once bright eyes were now a subtle amethyst that gleamed when the light was low.
Naruto's plan to conceal his identity didn't end there. He also applied a seal to Amenonuhoko to mask the eye-catching splendor of his ornate polearm. Gone were the jewels, traded for a plain aesthetic found in armories across Greece.
And while he didn't plan on needing it, Naruto added a failsafe to the seal, which would break it if things went south. A single word would disable everything. Amaterasu.
'I hate to admit... but you can't create peace without first sowing a field of blood. Men won't surrender if they believe they can win. So is the double edge sword of hope.' Naruto let his thoughts go as he stepped onto the ship responsible for carrying his contingent to Troy. Their personal vessel to battle.
Naruto saw the high morale among the men, which wasn't surprising to the god-in-disguise. They were still in the infancy of the conflict, where many didn't know better. Naruto wondered how long these drinking songs and brash promises would last when these summer men got their first taste of war and all its horrible truths.
The son of Chaos and all the rest had their attention swept away by a commanding voice that emerged from the uniform wave of white noise that had taken hold of the ship. "Quiet on deck! I said quiet down! I have some things to share with you before we hit open waters! So listen up; I don't want to repeat myself!" Tall, broad-shouldered, and set against the sun, whoever this man was, he cut a striking image.
"My name is Philoctetes, and according to our kings, I am your commander for this great odyssey. They say we are fighting to bring Helen of Troy back to her rightful husband. They say we are fighting for the honor of our home. They even say Helen is the world's most beautiful woman to grace this world." His last comment created a desired swell of laughter, further bolstering the morale of the ship-bound warriors.
Stepping up near the ship's stout figurehead, Philoctetes looked across the whole boat before continuing his rousing speech. "While I don't know about this woman, I do know that you men are my brothers. Together we will win the glory of the gods! Or we will die trying! And I plan on living for a long time! Who is with me!?" Cheers hailed the ship's charismatic commander, getting a satisfied smile from Philoctetes, who turned to face the Aegean sea.
"Drop the sails! We can't have the rest of the fleet taking all our glory!" As the crowd spread throughout the ship, Naruto shimmied toward the back of the massive war boat. Fewer people gathered here, making it easier for the deity to find a seat. One that gave Naruto enough room to breathe.
He had been polishing Amenonuhoko for a few minutes when Naruto was joined by a man with short brown hair. "You're a spear fighter, eh? I prefer the sword myself, but I can tell that's a reliable weapon you have there."
Naruto wore a meaningful smile that didn't match the ordinary appearance of the weapon sitting across his lap. "It is a family heirloom, something I fight to honor every day of my life." Shaking his head, Naruto turned to his company and extended his hand. "The name is Naruto. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Naruto? That's a strange name! At least it won't be hard to remember!" His comment was made in good spirits, hence Naruto's laughing response. "I am Artemide, cousin of the great King Agamemnon!"
While Naruto paid the man's impressive lineage its due respect, the noble-blooded Achaean asked one of the questions eating at him. "Can I ask why you're taking part in this war, Naruto? I've seen enough men to know when one is free to do as he wishes. You aren't honor-bound like me or the others here. So why do you fight?"
Chaos' adoptive son considered the question. Artemide raised a good point. Going to war for no reason seemed baffling, if not downright stupid. However, Naruto could go around admitting his origins and purpose. So some creative improvising was called for. "It's less a firm explanation and more a feeling in my gut. I feel like I've been called to do something meaningful, which is why I am here to fight."
"Yes! The heart of a warrior! It all makes sense; I respect that." There was something similar to approval in the Greek's eyes while he looked at Naruto. That was the courage he wanted in the men fighting by his side. "You know, when this Helen business is sorted, you should return to Mycenae with me. I'm sure we can find a place for you in my cousin's employ."
Naruto purposefully skipped past the offer when he made a rather morbid remark about their future. It was just something he felt deep in his bones. Something Naruto felt like he had to say. "If we make it through. I have a feeling this is going to be a long war."
Naruto had no idea how hauntingly accurate his statement would prove to be.
The time Naruto spent on the ship included more than watching the waves. With the guidance of Artemide, who turned out to be second in command, Naruto learned the proper way to wield a kopis. And with land in sight, Naruto had a chance to put his new skillset to the test.
Currently, they were floating off the shore of some island with some of the men rowing the ship into the nearby bay, where landing would be much easier on the fighters. It didn't take long before Philoctetes took control of the situation as expected of a leader. "Last night's storm pushed us off course. If we want to make it to Tenedos, we will need more supplies. This land here is Chryse Island, an outpost the first expedition discovered eight years earlier. It will have what we need." Philoctetes silently motioned for Artemide to take over.
"Chryse is in bed with the Trojans! If you want food, you'll have to fight for it, boys! Get your weapons ready and stay on your toes! We move on Philoctetes' signal!" Artemide's words triggered a rush of action among his fellow warriors, who were all too happy to have a chance at battle after these restless months on the ship.
The god hidden in their midst positioned himself at the formation's center, armed with a kopis and standard shield. Naruto linked up with the others around him and formed an unflinching shield wall. At the head of this unit was Philoctetes and his familiar voice. "Are you ready? Okay! To the edge of the beach, move as one!"
A collective sound of armored suits shuffling in unison created a clashing drumbeat that followed the warriors to the precipice, where the sand turned into soil. Upon their leader's hand going up, they held fast. A literal wall of bronze and resolve waiting to be unleashed. "Archers! Fan out and keep your bows trained on the treeline!"
Now properly formed up for battle, the Achaean mass looked ready to roll. However, Philoctetes wasn't done there. "Artemide, take half the men with you and travel the north path. We'll move east and hit them from two sides."
Artemide faithfully turned his superior's words into action. "You heard the man! You thirty are with me; come on, move your asses!" The choice to divide into two even groups was a smart one. A smaller force made traveling the narrow paths a more feasible mission for all involved.
Despite keeping a cautious pace, Naruto and company made excellent time. This should be credited to a total lack of opposition. The confusion among the force reached its boiling point when the group of thirty reached the partially ajar gates without seeing a single enemy combatant. While their sub-leader motioned for the gates to be opened, Naruto picked up a whisper from someone behind him. "I smell smoke..."
Naruto also detected the stagnant scent of smoke and gripped the handle of his blade in preparation. The smashed wooden gates flung open with a nerve-ruffling creek that was heard for miles. If there was anyone else on the island to experience it.
"What in Poseidon's name happened here?" While he wouldn't have gone so far as to invoke a god's name, he agreed with the sentiment of his pious comrade. What greeted them was nothing short of ruin. Buildings were crushed into piles of splinters. And what remained standing was burnt beyond repair.
Like Naruto's group before them, Philoctetes and his men marched into a shell resembling civilization. The usually sure man looked as baffled as the rest of them. Naruto's sharp ears heard Philoctetes mumbling under his breath from across the outpost. "Spread out. Salvage whatever you can find."
The fire-haired child of Amaterasu singled out a building husk with one and a half walls remaining upright. Naruto carefully shuffled planks and stones aside until he stumbled upon a broken wooden shelf. Under that soot-stained timber, he found a shiny bauble.
Reaching into the chaotic mess, he wrapped his hand around its spherical shape. Naruto found the smooth item to be cool to the touch. When he pulled back, he held a green gem orb with a thin black line going down its center. It reminded Naruto of... "A snake's eye?"
"PHILOCTETES!" The panicked cry resulted in Naruto grabbing his sword and spinning around. That's how Naruto saw Philoctetes. The tall man had a snake dangling from his forearm. Its fangs were deep in Philoctetes' olive-tanned flesh.
The stalwart Achaean was quick to rip the snake away from his arm. Throwing the serpent down with a grunt, Philoctetes crushed its head under the sole of his boot. "Nothing but a flesh wound... don't worry. Enemies behind-"
Try as he might, Heracles' friend couldn't issue his warning in time. The man Philoctetes sought to alert already had his throat ripped out by a pair of savage claws that made short work of his vulnerable flesh. And because it came from behind, the brave man didn't even see his death coming. Fates like these were suffered across the surprise battlefield.
In the time it took to snap one's fingers, the group of sixty lost ten lives in terrible fashion. The blood not being choked on sprayed from the deadly lacerations until the dying men crumbled to the ground with meek, gurgling coughs until they went silently to the Underworld.
Two battle-aware warriors nearby grouped on Naruto, counting on more numbers meaning a higher chance of survival against these supernatural predators. Soon, one of these two men voiced the question they were all thinking. "Where in Tartarus did these things come from?"
A nest of ten snake-like horrors made their grand entrance, slithering from the shadows with rolling hisses. They had these long, flexible bodies typical of a snake. Until it came to their tops, where a very human torso sat. Including the six-inched dagger claws that dripped with the fresh blood of their victims.
"What are they?"
CLANG!
The conversing pair flinched when the slithering beast's charge was stopped courtesy of Naruto's shield. It moved so fast, they hadn't even seen it move, which only made their nervousness soar. "This isn't the time to run your mouths! Get serious, or you're dead!" Unlike most, Naruto's godly body had no trouble keeping the monster at arm's length.
Naruto's actions delivered his message loud and clear. In one stroke, he rallied the fighting spirit of his allies. They stepped around Naruto to strike the beast from both sides. Unfortunately, the man on the left was faster, putting a hitch in what was supposed to be a unified attack. Perfect teamwork wasn't easily obtained, no matter what the stories said.
That little gap allowed the snake to sweep the warrior's feet from underneath him. On his back, he looked up into the green mouth of the drooling abomination. He was saved from further harm when it hissed out in pain and whipped to its right. That's where the other man's sword was shoved a quarter into the scaled creature's side. But it wasn't enough to fell the monster.
Ripping out with a furious screech, the feral beast swiveled to its blind side, where it lifted its attacker by the throat, sword still buried in its side. Just as the narrow-eyed serpent reeled the fearful man toward its venom-leaking maw, the serpentine's arm was cut off at the elbow. This time there was no reaction to the pain, not before Naruto's kopis lopped off its head in one slash.
SCHLCK!
Ignoring the gushing fountain of corrupted blood pouring onto his frozen allies, Naruto rushed to the nearest fight while the two men on the ground tried to catch their breath.
"I'm alive? My life, it flashed before my eyes."
"We are alive. Thank Athena."
Naruto spotted one of his fellow skirmishers engaging with a snake beast in single combat. They had an axe in their hands and a bow settled on their back.
'Why is it always snakes?' He allowed his question to float off as he reached for the disguised spear on his back. Personally, Naruto had no issue with the snakes in general, but they had a problem with him, apparently.
Shaking off his worthless thought, the ruby-haired god threw the fabled Amenonuhoko like a javelin. It sailed through the smoky air like a missile and impaled the snake, trapping it in place. The stubborn serpent didn't die, but it was immobilized by the length of Amenonuhoko. That opening is all the snake's original opponent needed to pull out his bow and put three arrows into the monster's skull, finishing it for good.
Naruto jerked his legacy weapon free from the limp monster's carcass, grunting. "Are you hurt?" He asked while checking over the bronze-covered marksman, who appeared winded but otherwise okay.
"No..." Something about his voice felt wrong, but Naruto had more important things to worry about. Like the remaining monsters that were still unleashing havoc on their troops.
"Good! These things need to go. Are you with me?" Even if he declined, Naruto threw his shield aside and prepared to launch himself headfirst into the fight if necessary. Alone if that's what it took.
"I'm with you." Naruto nodded appreciatively, smirking almost ferally.
"Good. I'll hit the bastards close, and you pick them off from afar." Their first opportunity to back up their words came when a pair of snakes rushed at Naruto. The first serpent didn't make it far before it got sniped by a well-placed arrow. Meanwhile, Naruto shot forward when the remaining beast readied a ball of venom. Before it could spit the projectile, Naruto's blade went up through the bottom of the snake's jaw and skewered the thing's brain. Naruto held the weapon there for a beat, then pulled his sword loose with a wet squelch.
"Shit!" Only someone with sharp hearing like Naruto would've heard Artemide swear as the man was tackled. The fire-haired godling didn't even need to ask. An arrow was already put in the snake-man's shoulder, making it turn to see a lunging Naruto.
The resolute kami's blood-tinted kopis came down in a flash of bronze, cleaving the creature's skull effortlessly and sinking deep enough to cut down between its eyes. Instead of celebrating, Naruto heaved his weapon free and checked on his blade mentor.
'Damn it.' Artemide didn't have the chunk missing from his throat like the others. However, he did have a claw mark carved into his stomach; it was deep enough to expose his guts.
Artemide, the cousin of Agamemnon, was dead.
The god's attempt at paying respects was halted when the bow shooter put his hand on Naruto's shoulder. "The battle is over." Naruto glanced up at that comment. He saw all the snakes dead. But by his count, they lost about half the men they came in with.
A second look showed Naruto something different, a group of shell-shocked men lost in their own despondence. That's when Naruto realized their leadership for the last few months was missing in action.
"Why don't you step up?" The sudden question forced a blink from Naruto. It was like his ally was in his head or something.
"I could ask you the same thing." Naruto attempted to reflect the question since he had no desire to lead. Unfortunately, he got a stare in response until he eventually did something.
"Eyes on me! We won the fight, yes. But not without cost. Bury the men we lost and gather all the fresh water you can. I hate to say it, but now we've plenty of supplies to last the voyage." When no one moved a muscle, Naruto was forced into a sigh. Of course, it wouldn't be that easy.
Ready to try again, Naruto added a little extra something to his voice, producing more force and putting forth a sense of strength that the warriors of Greece would instinctively look to for leadership and guidance.
"What's wrong with you? I thought I was sailing with warriors? Are you going to quit after just one fight? This is a gods-damned war! It won't end in says; we'll be working our asses off for years! If you can't handle this, I might as well bring the dead with me and leave you cowards here. At least they'll be more helpful than a bunch of spineless cravens!" Naruto refrained from smiling when he noted the subtle shift in the air. There weren't any shouts or cheers, but the fire in their eyes was enough.
"If you're done with the pity, let's get to work!"
"Wait, sir!" The fire-haired man raised a brow, more curious about the sudden respect than anything else. Well, Philoctetes was hanging from the man's shoulder. "What should we do with Philoctetes? He's alive but won't wake up?"
Naruto's frown came from his inability to heal the big man suffering from the snake's poison. That would require Naruto to release the seal on his powers, which would endanger the entire group. Unfortunately, he needed to choose the many over the few in this instance. "Put him on the boat. Maybe they'll have healers in Tenedos that can fix him."
The obedient soldier walked off to follow orders. That is when Naruto's new friend placed a hand on his shoulder. "It sounds like you're our new boss. Congratulations."
Tenedos
"The traditional way of battle is holding us back. With a few small changes, we can change the face of warfare. That's what we need. Innovation, something different..." What Naruto vocalized was but an excerpt from his thoughts. A piece of his efforts to create something superior to the tried and true shield wall.
These brave warriors looked to him for leadership, so Naruto put in the extra hours to better prepare himself. First on Naruto's list was learning about tactics and martial command. It took a massive chunk of his personal time, but he got the job done. Thankfully, his godliness helped Naruto retain information at an exceptional rate. Far better than any mortal could've done in a similar position.
He wasn't perfect, but he was more than competent.
That's another reason Naruto didn't partake in the celebrations or relax like the others. No, he was in his tent working on his twentieth iteration of the phalanx. The redhead felt like this formation had real merit going forward.
Naruto's ideal formation consisted of a sixteen by sixteen unit, which wasn't too different from the ten by ten currently in use. His most drastic change was how Naruto wanted his men equipped. The god wanted blades replaced with the sarissa, a long pike with a double point. With the reach advantage- the first five rows could keep the enemy in place. Meanwhile, the other eleven held their spears overhead to protect the phalanx from incoming projectile fire.
But using these two-handed tools would require a new type of protection. What if the shield also served as body armor? That's what Naruto was thinking when he sketched a bronze-plated piece of wood worn around the neck. He called it the telamon. It'd offer protection while freeing the soldiers to use the lengthy sarissa.
The phalanx wasn't perfect by any means. There were vulnerable points in the rear and right that needed to be protected. But once those were ironed out, Naruto saw the potential for greatness if the right people were in place.
"It's a shame I don't have the men or material required to make these changes. At least, not right now." Tucking his plans away for future use, Naruto began stretching out his legs when a familiar face with their trusty bow joined him. "So? What's the word around camp? Why haven't we sailed out yet? The men... they're growing antsy with Troy so close."
"King Agamemnon's hesitance to offer his daughter to Lady Artemis is the reason for the delay. Since his first refusal, the winds have been too unpredictable for our ships to sail in." Most would have agreed or disagreed with Agamemnon's choice and moved on. Naruto wouldn't be satisfied with that. He wanted to know why there was a need for human sacrifice in the first place. This wasn't Hades they were dealing with. Why would the moon goddess want a life?
So he asked that very question.
"Why would the moon goddess want a human sacrifice?" The way Naruto worded his question made it sound off-handed. Made it sound like an inquiry put upon a whim. He hardly expected his brother-in-arms to have a response almost immediately.
"Lady Artemis seeks to create a safe place for women, a sanctuary where they can learn to defend themselves!" The sudden onset of passion in those words couldn't be faked. And their impact was just as tangible, thus making any hasty backtracking meaningless. "Or so I've heard the oracles whisper..."
And with that very obvious slip, the charade was over. Naruto wore an amused smile as he stared down his tense comrade. "You can drop the act now. I know you're a woman. I have for a while now, actually."
Now identified as a she, the woman released a heavy sigh before doing away with her helmet and shaking her head until dirty blonde hair fell in a shaggy mess at her chin. "How long did you know?" She asked curiously.
Where another might admire the admittedly good-looking woman, Naruto just nodded. He was happy to finally have his hunch confirmed. "I felt something off about you back at the island. From then, I waited for the right time to raise my suspicions. What's your name?"
The bright-haired maiden seemed at battle with herself before she breathed a second sigh. This time it was much longer and laced with the naked truth. "My name's... Atalanta."
Naruto's amethyst eyes widened significantly at the revelation, a credit to the weight Atalanta's name still carried. How could anyone alive in Greece not know about the famous warriors of old? "That Atalanta? The argonaut? That'd explain your skill and composure in battle."
Her composure remained intact as Naruto praised her. Atalanta's reaction was limited to the raising of her eyebrow. She lined up her surprise with a question of her own. "You aren't wondering how I'm alive after about two hundred years?" This Naruto character was getting stranger by the day.
Naruto dismissed her disbelief with a casual wave of his hand. He might be ready to brush the whole ordeal off, but the same couldn't be said for Atalanta. "What will you do now that you know the truth? You know as well as I that leadership doesn't want women in the army since it was a woman who started this whole debacle."
Once again, Naruto snorted because he wasn't convinced this conflict came from mortal choice. The feeling of divine intervention's responsibility still lingered heavily on his mind. But he could worry about those suspicions later. He needed to sort this out first and foremost. "What am I going to do? That's easy. Nothing."
A few moments go by, and Naruto is on his feet. There's a smirk working its way onto his face, hinting at the creation of an idea. One Naruto quite liked, if he were being honest. "I take that back. I'm going to offer you the chance to be my right hand. The second in command." Letting her many talents go would be gross malpractice on Naruto's part as a military commander.
So surprised she took a single step back, Atalanta looked at the grinning Naruto in visible shock. Were her ears playing tricks on her? "Y-You're serious?" This was everything the former princess wanted but never expected. Dreams were called dreams for a reason.
Naruto cemented his position with an emphatic nod. His loose smile shifted into a more focused expression befitting a man with military power. "Your numerous experiences would be tough to beat. With your help, maybe we can ensure our men make it safely back to their families and farms. What do you say? Are you with me, Atalanta of Arcadia?"
She gazed upon his extended hand for about three seconds before seizing his forearm and shaking his entire arm. It was all Atalanta could do to hide her excitement. "Command me as you see fit, and I will bring you victory. I promise."
"It won't be my victory. It will be our victory, Atalanta." Naruto retook his seat and motioned for the famous argonaut to do the same. "Take a seat and tell me your story."
And so, the pair of unlikely allies spent hours developing their newly-forged bond. One story at a time.
Off The Trojan Shores
The moment of truth finally arrived for Naruto and the rest of the Greek invasion armada. Troy, the enemy stronghold, was finally in sight. And it turned out to be everything Naruto expected and more. There's an air of mystery around the foreign city, further bolstered by the high walls protecting it. In that way, the hidden deity was reminded of Mycenae. 'It's both fortress and city wrapped in one grand achievement. This won't be an easy task.'
After months of sailing the open sea and one failed attempt, the great city was finally within their reach. However, a massive Trojan army stood between the Greeks and Troy. And by proxy, Helen. Naruto almost hated to admit it, but a small part of him cried for battle. That section of his soul wanted to jump headfirst into the fight and let everything else fall to the side.
Perhaps if he were an ordinary foot soldier, Naruto could do just that. But with men looking to him for leadership, there wasn't time to lose his head. Instinct or not. That's when the fire-haired son of Amaterasu noticed something peculiar.
"Why are we in a holding pattern?" And when Naruto asked this question, he meant every ship in the fleet, not his alone. It's like the men on the boats were scared of something he couldn't see.
Anytime Naruto needed something, Atalanta was right there to assist him. She took her new responsibilities as his right hand very seriously. Just as serious as Naruto took his own. "Back at Tenedos, there was a prophecy making the rounds." It's Atalanta who had Naruto's answers.
Because he positioned himself at the very front of the ship, Atalanta didn't see the rare scowl on Naruto's face as she continued her retelling. "They say the first Achaean to walk on land after stepping off a ship will be the first to die."
"I hate prophecies." Naruto's grumbled gripe clashed against his clenched teeth. Feeling a surge of adrenaline pumping through his godly veins, he was spurred into making a choice. "Someone get me a shield!"
He got what he wanted quickly. And so the ember-haired warrior took his bronze disk and hurled it into the untouched sand. The thick, metal slab was buried halfway in the loose, golden grains. Naruto furthered his defiance when he climbed onto the top of his ship's figurehead and jumped onto the beach, landing behind the shield.
After wrenching his bronze bastion free, two Trojans broke rank and rushed him with nationalistic pride. Naruto battered the first slash thrown at him aside with his shield. The wide opening left by the parry opened Naruto's foe to having his gut pierced by a single thrust.
The second man in the unwise pair didn't have it much better. Physically superior, Naruto bowled him over with a shield-packed shoulder tackle. He kept his enemy in place with the weight of his bronze protection and drove his crimson-painted kopis into the man's lower abdomen, drawing a guttural groan of agony.
He didn't say a word. Naruto just lowered himself into a fighting stance. The sight of a lone warrior standing against the Trojan Army sent a deafening roar through the fleet. As men spilled out by the thousands, Naruto allowed himself a smirk.
Despite shaking her head at Naruto's straight-ahead approach, there was a faint smile on Atalanta's lips. She, like many others, believed the oracle but seeing her leader running into the teeth of the beast sparked something in her that Atalanta thought she'd lost. It was something that eluded the former princess in her post-argonaut days.
Belief is a simple thing, but its motivation makes the impossible possible. It was a precious commodity in that regard.
His act of defiance made Atalanta believe. Not in this stupid war that came about because of men and their genitals. Her trust was in Naruto. Turning to the soldiers at her sides, Atalanta gave the order. "Get your weapons! He's not going in there alone! We'll be right by his side!"
Naruto's impromptu heroics drew reactions across the entire fleet. Everyone had opinions, but they all felt something because of his courage.
One individual grabbed by Naruto's defiance was a man of moderate height and dark hair. He wasn't the most imposing figure, yet he came with a grace draped around him like a shroud. This was Odysseus, the favorite champion of King Agamemnon of Mycenae.
The keen brown eyes of Odysseus refused to leave Naruto's back. Odysseus had a storm of thoughts rumbling through his brain, clear as his churned facial expression. 'This could be problematic. I need a new way to dispose of Protesilaus now. There will be more chances in the future. First, we'll need a foothold and fast.'
"Odysseus!" The champion turned and dropped to a knee as one did in the presence of King Agamemnon, who was adorned in fine golden armor that shone in the late afternoon sun. "That warrior has the right idea. Rally the men and push for the beach. The Trojans need to be forced back if we're to establish a siege camp. Failure is not an option."
"Right away, my king!" The cunning one didn't dare raise his head until he knew Agamemnon was gone. Only then did Odysseus sigh as he took hold of his weapon. Hardening himself for what came next, he stepped on Trojan soil. "Wait for me, my lovely Penelope. I will fight for as long as it takes to see your sweet face again."
Naruto's display of bravery captured the imagination of allies and enemies alike. Someone in the latter group was the great warrior Hector of Troy. Looking through the ravenous mass of humanity, the dark-skinned man stroked his full beard in thought. "He shall do. If that one wishes to be a symbol, he shall be a symbol for their defeat."
Troy's favorite son worked his way to Naruto, cutting down Greek opposition by the dozen in the process. It didn't take long for the invaders to learn their lesson and steer clear of Hector. His path was clear, but before he could advance on an unaware Naruto, he needed to save himself from a last-second arrow.
"That's far enough, Trojan." Atalanta placed herself between Naruto and Hector, slinging her longbow over her shoulder and taking up a sword. Their encounter gave Naruto the time to finish his opponent and turn about-face.
Hector shook his head. His rationale for doing this caught Naruto and Atalanta off guard. "Step aside. I have no interest in you or your sword. I wish to test the red one in single combat. Man against man."
While Naruto tried getting a measure of the deep-voiced man, Atalanta shared her doubts about his sincerity. "Are you serious? This is war... you don't get to call for duels just because you feel like it. One against one isn't possible or reasonable."
The questioning of his intentions displeased the man, but Hector maintained his poise. "This is no trap. You have my word as Prince of Troy that our duel will not be tampered by outside interference." Troy's proclaimed prince was genuine when he made this promise, which shone a light on his noble spirit.
Naruto and Atalanta shared a look. With Hector's identity established, this opportunity couldn't be turned down. This go around, Naruto replied for himself. "Go help the men. Minimize losses as best you can. I can handle this."
She quickly realized Naruto wouldn't be persuaded otherwise. So instead of questioning him in front of the enemy, she complied, but not without offering a parting word. "You better not die."
A faint smile twitched into place on Naruto's face. "Not in your worst nightmares. Get going."
With their clash all but inevitable, both men took it to a new level of seriousness. An appropriate level of tension filled their bodies as they armed themselves with their preferred blade. The pair looked ready to leap at the other when Hector spoke. "What's your name, warrior?"
Naruto answered with a lunge and the song of his sword cutting through the air. Despite being caught off guard, Hector lifted his shield and absorbed the surprise attack.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Bronze grated against bronze, opening the window for Hector's retaliation. The royal came with heavy strikes and savage intentions, but it wasn't power or speed putting Naruto on his back foot.
What gave Naruto the most trouble was his foe's unchallenged skill. To a newcomer at sword fighting, like Naruto, it was frustrating that his more seasoned opponent wasn't leaving Naruto an opening. Which equated to being stuck on the defensive for the time being.
The superficial scrapes building on his arms helped Naruto stay focused amid Hector's return onslaught. Pain provided a sense of clarity Naruto needed to best Hector in a dance of blades. And the longer he stayed back, the more Hector pushed his advantage.
Naruto did more than protect himself from injury. He used every attack as a chance to learn more about his enemy. Soon, Naruto picked up some minor tendencies in Hector's stance and motions.
'His upper body is perfect. Training and good trainers, I assume. But he flips his hips between slashes for more force. If I can impede that, I can crack his defense through offense strategy.' His purple eyes flashed as Naruto stepped forward, hitting the inside of Hector's thigh with his knee.
Because he couldn't clear his hips, the flow fueling Hector's assault met a cold end. Naruto exploited his surprise and scored a hit above Hector's shield. The cut connected the Trojan's pectorals together as Hector grunted.
The blood dribbling down his chest didn't deter Hector from chasing a victory. Loading up his back foot, the prince surged forward to impale Naruto on his trusty sword. But the fleet-footed redhead swiveled around Hector, taking the Trojan's back in a feat of agility.
Naruto smashed the pommel of his guard into the back of Hector's helmet. Its effect was immediate on the man, who felt his knees wobble before he dropped to a knee with the world swimming around him. "Yield." Naruto's voice was as unforgiving as the bronze against the side of Hector's neck.
His call for submission shifted into an opening for Hector. Making the most of his chance, Hector gathered himself and lashed out. Kicking his sword back, he managed to catch Naruto on the thigh. His comeback stopped there when Naruto smashed the flat side of his kopis into the side of the Trojan's head.
Clenched teeth caged Naruto's annoyed growl while his free hand tentatively checked the fresh wound on his thigh. His time spent as a healer came in handy here. The god's extensive familiarity with the human body told Naruto there wasn't anything to worry about. Thankfully, Hector missed an artery with his desperate attack. A fatal injury that didn't kill would be difficult to explain.
"I will not yield!" Hector roared back into the fight. His bronze sword flew at Naruto from multiple angles with untempered ferocity. However, his passionate heart and possible concussion robbed Hector of his greatest asset.
Skill.
Hector pushed Naruto back because Naruto let him. In reality, Naruto held the advantage. The crisp deftness Hector demonstrated at the onset of their fight was long gone. More gaps emerged in the Trojan's form, leaving him vulnerable to small counters from Naruto. At first, these little knicks and cuts seemed inconsequential. But as the number of injuries grew, Hector slowed because his body couldn't endure the pain.
The facade of control Hector clung to ended when Naruto scored a deep laceration across the bicep of Hector's sword arm. As a result, the prince dropped his sword and fell to his knees, physically unable to carry his own body weight.
Hector had skill. But Hector didn't have enough power to kill Naruto in one shot. Hector had the training. But Hector didn't have the speed to outmaneuver Naruto. Hector had the advantage to start with. But Naruto was going to have the last laugh.
"You could've lived. Yes, you'd be a prisoner, but alive nonetheless. If you seek death, I can send you there as a warrior, Hector of Troy." Hector didn't grovel for mercy. He took his loss with a glare. The concussed glaze in his eyes diminished the gesture, but Naruto respected the unshakable resolve.
Learning from his earlier mistake, Naruto didn't hesitate this time. He swung, intending to decapitate the Trojan nobility. Clemency came in the form of an arrow, which pierced the back of Naruto's shoulder and saved Hector's life.
Hector saw the person responsible before Naruto did. And for the first time, Naruto heard fear in Hector's voice. "What are you doing here, boy? Run! Run away, now!"
Breaking most of the arrow's shaft from the arrowhead, Naruto whipped around to face the new threat. That's when he saw a smooth-faced kid with an uncanny resemblance to Hector. It didn't take a genius to figure out the connection. 'That must be his son.'
"No! I need you, father! The battle is lost, but I can't lose you too!" While young, the prince's child was smart enough to keep his eyes on Naruto. And more importantly, his bow.
"Wait... wait! Don't hurt him! He's a boy who knows little of war!" Hector would've praised his son for his valor had Hector not been terrified that he was about to see his son killed right in front of him. "Do you hear me, Scamandrius? I said run!"
"Don't worry, father. I didn't come alone." Upon Scamandrius' signal, a group of four men in heavy armor pushed forward. Cursing in his native tongue, Naruto threw his kopis into the sand and reached for his spear. The redhead could tell these men were more disciplined than most.
Naruto had no choice but to back away from Hector, leaving the father and son free to retreat from the battle. Naruto had more pressing matters to deal with. Namely four men armed to the teeth. "What will you do now, Achaean? You're all alone."
The tense standoff didn't last long before a well-placed arrow struck one of the Trojans in the eye, digging into the space between the soldier's bronze helmet. The unlucky man's other eye widened before he fell forward. He was dead before hitting the ground.
The other three warriors hadn't fallen to the same surprise attack when they were stabbed from behind. Naruto watched as Atalanta and three men from the ship ran to him. "Are you alright, boss?"
Naruto gave his men a reassuring smile. "I'm fine. This isn't anything a few hours of rest won't fix. What's the report?" This time his words were directed toward his second in command.
"We've won the day. Once we scatter what's left of the Trojan forces, we can claim the shoreline as ours." Atalanta only needed one look to make a choice for Naruto. "You lot help here. I'm taking Naruto to get bandaged."
"I don't think that's necessary..." Of course, his words meant little when Atalanta was already dragging him away from the corpse-ridden sands. He had a feeling that he didn't have a choice, but that didn't stop Naruto from trying to stop Atalanta. "Seriously, I'm fine."
"Shut up. This is what you get for running off to battle on your own like some kind of hero."
"That's rich coming from you..." If she heard his gripe, Atalanta ignored it.
The day was won, but the war was just beginning.
END
Writer's Note II: There we go. Once more, I do apologize this took so long. Okay, I don't usually do this, but I'm in a good mood, so I'll share some tidbits about the next chapter. The next chapter will include appearances from Achilles, Athena, and Helen! How will Naruto interact with these pivotal figures? Youl'll have to read and find out. Happy birthday to me! (Yes, I had to say it.) Enjoy your day, stay safe, and maybe drop a review? Peace.