A/N: Alright, guys. So, here is the fourth official chapter of Perseus: Excidium Troiae. I read through the previous chapter and it seemed as though Apollo and Percy got over their argument a little too early. I mean, it's been two months but still, I should've waited a bit...I see that now. Whatever, what's done is done. I hope I'll be able to finish this arc before December. I've changed up the myth a bit (nothing too major, just a few details). Tell me what you think about how the story is going. This chapter is short but if you like it, leave a vote, comment or review. Thank you all for your continued support. Enjoy the chapter!
-TripleHomicide.
PERSEUS arched an eyebrow when the god of the sun suddenly appeared out of thin air in front of him. He sent a confused glance towards Apollo and then said, "What are you doing here?"
Apollo pursed his lips. True, they had apologised and were not at each other's throats any longer, but they weren't where they used to be with each other. He still considered Apollo to be his older brother, but it would take some time to get over the horrible thing he had done.
"What, can't I come here to congratulate you on your success?" Apollo questioned, a smile lighting his face.
"I never said that but—"
"Artemis and mother send their regards," Apollo cut him short. There were a few heartbeats of questionable silence, then Apollo said, "I'm really proud of you, you know. I've seen all the great things you'll do and how much you'll accomplish. This was the first one."
He wanted to ask. He wanted to know if he would make a difference. But he knew all the rules that went with seeing the future. Apollo couldn't say. "Thanks, I guess?" Perseus breathed out. He would be summoned to the palace the next day, according to Hector. And he might be moving in, with quarters of his own in the soldiers' barracks. He and Aeneas and Hector would be given their positions in the army the next morning.
He didn't know whether to feel excited or nervous. Perseus licked his bottom lip, then said to Apollo, "This is all thanks to you, you know. You trained me well."
"Of course I did," Apollo snorted. "I'm Apollo. I do everything well."
Perseus rolled his eyes. They weren't there yet, but it had been three months. They would, soon enough.
"I'll be going with Aeneas back to the top of Ida in a few days. Aphrodite has finally decided to meet him and he'll need your support." The seriousness was back in Apollo's voice. Perseus did not ask why Hector wasn't coming along. It was a bit complicated, but he knew gods didn't appreciate the presence of uninvited mortals. Even Apollo had only allowed Hector to gaze upon him once, when the prince discovered their secret training sessions. He hadn't struck him down because he was close to Perseus and his brother.
"Alright. Come fetch me when you're ready," Perseus said, glancing up towards the sky. "I'll be waiting."
"Goodbye, Perseus," Apollo's voice was tinged with sadness as he gazed at the boy who would see seventeen summers in one week to come. He saw him in his visions—he saw what Perseus would lose and he saw how it would all end.
He knew he and Leto should never have gotten attached. If Zeus got wind of his family's actions, Apollo, Leto and Artemis would be punished for breaking the ancient laws and interacting with a mortal without Zeus' permission. But Perseus was...something else. Apollo wished he could do something to change the possible future he had seen. It would all be coming soon. It would all end.
Soon.
-X-
HECTOR was kneeling before the throne and he was vaguely aware of Perseus and Aeneas doing the same at his left and right respectively. He felt a deep sense of pride envelope him, along with the stares and whispers of the people of Troy who had gathered at the palace for the day to watch the ceremony. He had watched with Aeneas as all the three hundred survivors of the Tournament had been categorised into the Trojan Army and it was finally their turn.
He did not hear what his father had said. His heart was thumping and all he could feel was the sense of accomplishment and the adrenaline coursing through his veins. He was glad that they had done it. And they had done it together. Hector stood when he heard his father say, "Rise." Beside him, his best friends did the same.
Hector could see the pride shining in his father and mother's eyes as he lifted his head. He barely registered as they were each presented with a set of armour—Trojan armour which officially stated that they were a part of the army, after eighteen years of Hector training to do so.
He heard his father's voice resonate throughout the city centre. "I give you the three new Lokhagi of the Trojan Army! Prince Hector, the heir to the throne, Anchises, my son-in-law and his brother Perseus, son of Anchises!"
A resounded applause broke out among the people of Troy. Hector felt his lips pull up in a smile. Finally, another step into their adulthood had been taken. They were captains of the Trojan Army and he knew that it wouldn't be soon before they started rising through the ranks. They would make it to the top soon. And they would do it together.
-X-
AENEAS did not know how to feel. He wasn't sure whether to be apprehensive or excited that after almost seventeen years of his life he was finally going to meet his mother in person. Sure, she sent him gifts through Apollo often and yes, he knew it was her who had helped him win Creusa's love. But she had never even bothered to meet him and tell him how proud she was or anything.
It wasn't that he cared about it too much. He was far too old to be sad over the fact that he had grown up without a mother's love to soothe his skin. He had gotten used to just his father and brother, along with Hector. Even now he was married and he didn't think he needed Aphrodite in his life. He had Creusa, after all.
He didn't want to know why she wanted to meet him. He guessed that she had something to ask of him and he did not know how to feel about that. He knew gods only meddled in mortal lives when they needed something done. Just like Apollo and Perseus. The god obviously knew something about Perseus' future and Aeneas had found out a long time ago that Apollo was just trying to nudge events to go in the way he had foreseen.
Aeneas pursed his lips. Apollo had come to fetch him a few days after their induction into the army and they were currently on their way to the barracks to find Perseus. Aeneas' thoughts drifted over to the ceremony they had partaken in. Perseus had moved out of their father's house into the army barracks soon after that, by order of the King. The barracks were just a few metres away from the palace and Aeneas and Hector often snuck out of the palace to meet with Perseus when they weren't too busy with royal duties.
Aeneas looked up when he heard the footsteps. He glanced to his side and instead of seeing the god's preferred form, he found a man in silver armour, not unlike the one Perseus and Aeneas had been given after the ceremony. And which they were wearing. Aeneas knew that it was Apollo in a mortal disguise, trying not to draw the attention of the others who were not of godly descent. He glanced to the source of the footsteps and smiled at his approaching brother.
"Are you ready?" Perseus nodded tensely. Apollo took hold of them by their shoulders and Aeneas felt himself melt into dust as they flashed away. It was the first time he had done so and when he felt his feet touch the ground he immediately released the contents of his stomach into a clump of bushes. Aeneas was feeling so dizzy and distorted he barely realised they were not alone.
Perseus had come to his side and had placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing in reassurance. He didn't say anything, though the son of Aphrodite knew he had his brother's silent support. Aeneas blinked to clear away the uneasy feeling, then glanced around. His mouth fell open.
Something was going on. Something big. Aeneas' eyes flicked across the entire terrain. He recognised the place; he had grown up here, after all, with the nymphs. He heard Perseus gasp from next to him, as if just realising what was happening.
They were in the presence of the gods of Olympus.
He could see about sixteen godly beings, surrounding a man who knelt before them. Aeneas caught sight of a bearded man in blue and white robes, with a circlet adorning his head. He had dark hair and sky blue eyes, and arcs of lightning were dancing around him. Zeus.
Next to him was another man, cleanly shaven, wearing similar blue robes, although darker. He had deep green eyes which reminded Aeneas of Perseus, and leaned against a three-pronged trident. Aeneas heard Perseus hiss and glare at Apollo. It took him a few seconds to realise who that was.
"Don't worry," Apollo murmured. "They do not know you are here. I've cloaked your auras." Aeneas' brow furrowed. Hadn't his mother asked for him? Why cloak their auras, then? Had Apollo been lying?
He shook his head, scanning the congregation of gods. He could see a woman with blonde hair the colour of wheat—Demeter, and he caught sight of an auburn-haired twelve-year-old glaring at everyone else. Artemis, for sure. The great god Ares wore blood red and black armour, and Aeneas could feel the waves of anger even from where he was standing. He saw Hephaestus, the lame god, who was tinkering with something or the other, then Hermes, zipping around in the sky, Hestia, silently watching her family and Dionysus, drinking from a chalice of wine.
The auras and power emanating from these gods made Aeneas want to kneel. He shook those thoughts from his head, eyes widening in surprise at the six people he had missed.
There was a brown-haired man in white wedding robes, standing near a woman who looked like a water nymph—lithe, elfish and with a bluish tint on her skin. Between them stood a boy with silky blond hair which fell to his shoulders and bright blue eyes. He looked too beautiful to be human, although he seemed to be just a few years younger than Aeneas.
"Thetis and her new husband, Peleus. Between them is their son, Achilles." A chill swept through Aeneas at Apollo's words. He knew the myth.
They had all heard of the ravishment of Thetis fourteen years ago, by Peleus, on the order of Zeus. Both Poseidon and the King had fallen for the nymph but a prophecy had warned that her son would be greater than his father. They had led Peleus to a cave and told him he could marry Thetis if he caught her and…
Aeneas shuddered. Clearly, the gods hadn't kept their promises. Thetis had bore a son, Achilles, and now, fourteen years later, the gods' promise to Peleus was being fulfilled.
Aeneas gazed once more at the spectacle unfolding before them. There was a woman, in a white gossamer dress with peacock feathers trailing behind her. She was speaking in a serene voice, holding tightly to a staff that had a lily seated on the top.
"I promise you dominion and kingship of Asia Minor and all of Europe, if you give me the golden apple," Hera said, her words directed to the other boy standing between the gods. The boy had dark raven hair and brown eyes, exactly like Hector's. He was dressed like a cowherd, and his expression told Aeneas he was extremely conflicted. He didn't seem to be as old as Aeneas and Perseus. What exactly was going on?
"Listen not to her, Paris." A woman in silver battle armour stepped forward. She held a giant silver spear and a shield which had the monstrous face of a gorgon on it. She pulled off her helmet and black hair fell. Her piercing grey eyes met those of the boy, Paris. "I will give you infinite wisdom and unearthly prowess in battle once I have the apple as mine." Paris' facial expression betrayed his thoughts. He didn't seem to enjoy the idea of battle skills and wisdom.
"Ignore them, my dear boy," The silky, somewhat familiar voice made Aeneas start. His mother glided forward, reaching out to cup Paris' cheek. "We all know who this apple should go to. Surely the fairest among the gods must be the goddess of love and beauty herself."
Aeneas studied his mother. Blood red lips, red hair which cascaded down her shoulders and a revealing white peplos that showed a little too much cleavage. She had a heart-shaped face, beautiful pearly skin and her eyes seemed to be exactly like Creusa's. She wore dark sandals and her nails were as red as her lips. She was ethereal. Unearthly. Regal and godly. She was his mother.
She was love.
"I promise you the hand in marriage of the most beautiful girl on this earth. Helen of Sparta shall be yours if you give the apple to me." Aeneas could see the desire light up in Paris' eyes.
He bowed. He did not even think through the offer.
"Of course, my Lady. You are right. The fairest among the goddesses is Aphrodite and therefore, she deserves the golden apple." He handed the golden fruit in his hand to Aphrodite.
There was a growl of anger from Athena and a huff from Hera. "You will regret this, mortal," Hera sneered in an angry whisper. Both goddesses dissolved into mist. Thetis and her son melted into a sea breeze which wafted up Aeneas' nose. One by one, the gods of Olympus disappeared in flashes of light, leaving behind Aphrodite and Paris.
There were a few heartbeats of silence. Then Apollo stepped forward. "Well, that was quite a show, wasn't it?"
-X-
PERSEUS watched the gods with little interest. He barely heard what the three regal goddesses were arguing about. His mind was in a world of its own, playing back the conversation he had had with Helenus and his sister Cassandra a day ago. This time, she hadn't started rambling when she sighted him.
He scowled slightly, remembering their words. He had been inside the palace, running an errand for the Polemarchos, the army's Supreme General (of course, King Priam was still in charge, but the Polemarchos had the highest authority in the army, after him), who had taken a liking to him. After his job was done, he stopped by Hector's and Aeneas' chambers and spoke with them for a while. On his way out he had been stopped by the twin children of Priam.
Apparently Helenus also had a gift for divining the future, given to him by Apollo a while after Cassandra's curse. Perseus' gaze drifted to the god by their side. What was his motive?
"We know you're going to Ida tomorrow," Helenus had said. Perseus remembered the prince warning him not to go. He hadn't looked like he wanted to kill Percy. He just seemed concerned, for whom, Perseus did not know. Helenus had said he should stop Aeneas from going too. According to Helenus, what or rather, who they came back with would destroy the city of Troy. Soon.
He hadn't believed the prophet. But now he was contemplating. Perseus ran a hand through his hair, a million thoughts and possibilities appearing before his mind's eye. He glared at the ground. His thoughts drifted to the conversation he had had with Cassandra after she had urged her brother to allow them to speak in private.
"I'm never going to get married, Perseus. I've seen it. And I need you to see it too. I'll be alright."
She had known that he was blaming himself for her curse. And she had reassured him as best as she could. She had asked if they could remain friends and he had agreed with a nod, unable to even speak.
He sighed, then looked up just in time to see the boy give the apple to Aphrodite. Then the gods disappeared into light and mist.
Apollo moved towards Aphrodite and Paris and Perseus spurred his feet to follow, grabbing Aeneas' hand and pulling him along.
"Apollo," The goddess' voice was silky and seductive. She glanced behind the sun god and her eyes met Perseus' for a fraction of a second. Her eyes were bright silver. He frowned. Aphrodite looked away from him and smiled.
She moved towards Aeneas, saying, "My son." She dropped the apple on the ground.
Aeneas' face was expressionless but he did not resist when Aphrodite pulled him away from them. Perseus' faced the cowherd, cocking his head to the side.
"Paris, the mortal cowherd. It's good to see you once again," Apollo greeted the boy. Perseus thought he looked a lot like Hector. The likeness was uncanny.
"Likewise, Lord Apollo," The mortal bowed. The boy was gifted with clear sight, then. He turned to Perseus. "I am Paris. Others call me Alexander. I am the son of Agelaus." Perseus examined him with a frown. His name meant the Protector of Men.
"Perseus," He finally replied. "Son of Anchises of Troy."
Perseus' eyes drifted over the apple the goddesses had been arguing about, rolling towards them. He reached down to pick it up, catching sight of the inscription in greek. He easily translated it. "For the fairest."
This was what the gods were arguing about? He felt a deep sense of anger and fury flare inside him. He didn't know who it was directed to. He turned to glare at Paris, wanting nothing more but to punch him in the face. And he did not know why.
"I'll be taking that," Apollo reached out, plucking the apple from Perseus' grasp. He examined it with a critical eye, then let out a breath. "Of course. Eris."
"Who?" Paris enquired.
"The apple belongs to the goddess of discord. She wasn't invited to the wedding." Perseus nodded in understanding, remembering a lesson from Apollo, years ago. The apple's powers were dark and promoted discord and violence.
Perseus looked towards Aeneas and his mother. His brother's face was neutral but from his body language, Perseus could see he was uncomfortable. Aphrodite was running a hand through his hair and cupping his face, speaking with urgency in hurried dulcet tones.
After a while, Aeneas broke away from her and began walking in their direction. He stopped a few feet away from Apollo. "We have to get back to Troy now." He sent a sideways glare at Paris. "And you're coming."
"What?" Perseus blanched, his word being echoed by Paris. He heard Apollo sigh.
"I'll explain later," Aeneas waved it aside. "Come on."
Perseus tried to spot Aphrodite, but the goddess had disappeared and so had the apple in Apollo's hands. He barely noticed the god reaching out to grab him. Aeneas placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Take my hand, son of Priam," Apollo reached out to Paris. Perseus felt another chill run up his spine. What? Had he heard correctly? What had Apollo said?
He barely had time to question the god, however, because he grabbed Paris by the hand and they melted into the sunlight.
-X-
HECTOR looked up when Aeneas marched into his father's throne room, closely followed by Perseus and another soldier in silver armour. The soldier was leading a boy of about fifteen summers into the throne room, where his father's court was in full swing.
Hector looked down at them from his throne on the raised dais. Aeneas was supposed to be next to him, with Perseus in the stands but the two had seemingly vanished that morning.
"What is the meaning of this?" King Priam stood from his throne, a look of barely controlled anger flashing in his eyes.
"I carry an urgent message from the goddess Aphrodite," Aeneas stated, his voice hard. He came to a stop at the foot of the throne and knelt. "I wish to speak with you in private, your highness."
King Priam narrowed his eyes. Hector looked towards the silver soldier. He thought he saw a flash of gold in his eyes. Apollo.
It seemed as though his father saw it too because he said, "The court shall have a break for an hour. I shall return when the goddess' message has been delivered. Come, Aeneas."
The noblemen and the court officials dispersed, muttering. Hector made his way towards Perseus and Aeneas. The latter turned his head to the cowherd who looked extremely out of place. "Follow me, Paris."
The boy did not argue. He seemed to be meek and quite young. Aeneas marched after King Priam and past Hector without so much as a glance.
As he neared Perseus, he heard, "What did you mean by the son of Priam?"
"I meant what I said," Apollo replied in hushed tones. "He is a child of the King, just like Hector is. Except, it was prophesied that he would bring…" He paused as if trying to find the right words. "...great misery to Troy. So he was sent away to Ida, to be killed." Hector's eyes narrowed in confusion.
"The one from the mountain," Perseus sounded...afraid. "The one Cassandra was referring to?"
"Yes. But—"
"What do you mean great misery?" Hector came to a stop in front of them.
Apollo's eyes narrowed. He turned to face Hector. "You'll find out soon, Heir Apparent. Patience is a virtue." He turned back to Perseus, tilting his head to the side. "Do not let my words worry you too much. Not now, at least. I must go." Without giving Hector a chance to ask more questions, he said, "Goodbye, Perseus."
The sun god dissolved into dust.
"What was that about?" Hector queried. "And where did you go?"
"Ida," Perseus answered, although a frown was etched on his face. "I still do not fully comprehend what is going on."
Aeneas and Hector's father had disappeared from the audience chamber. Perseus continued, "Aphrodite wanted to see Aeneas. There was an argument between the gods of Olympus and apparently, the cowherd who came with us, is your brother."
Hector felt his blood still. "What?"
"His name is Paris," Perseus went on. "The Protector of Men. Cassandra speaks of him often. She sees him." He paused. "According to Apollo, he's the one she referred to as the Man from the Mountain."
"I-I don't understand." Hector had never believed Cassandra's words and he did not think he ever would. They were simply the ramblings of a madwoman, which was what his sister had been reduced to, and that was what everyone else—except Perseus—thought.
"Neither do I," Perseus shrugged. "I guess we'll find out what is happening in an hour's time."
Hector didn't reply. Instead, he gazed at the doors through which Aeneas, King Priam and Paris had gone.
-X-
AENEAS followed the wide-eyed Paris and the sombre King Priam back into the audience chamber one hour later. He was still scowling, at nothing in particular, and he couldn't push down the rush of anger he was feeling. He remembered his mother's words when she was done lavishing him with praises and buttering him up so he would accept her request.
"Take the boy to Troy. Go to King Priam and tell him his son has returned. He is to make him a member of his household once more and treat him as his own. Tell him that Paris, the one he sent to be killed years ago—the Champion of Aphrodite—has come home."
It wasn't about the fact that Hector had another brother, who had been sent to Ida to be killed upon his birth because of a prophecy. No, it was because Aphrodite had only wanted to see Paris, not him. Sure, he had somehow anticipated that, and gods don't usually contact mortals unless they could be of use in some way. But she referred to Priam's new son as her champion. And it stung.
It has to be you who informs Priam. Not anyone else.
He had been trying to get his mother's attention—her acknowledgement—since he could talk. But did she care? No, she did not. She had spoken of how proud she was of him and how he would accomplish great things but her words had been forced. She had said that things would be happening soon and he would be seeing her more often but he didn't believe that.
He was basically an errand boy. He did not understand why she could not send Apollo or Perseus or any other person to send Priam's son back to him. He could see the court officials move to take their seats once again.
Aeneas moved to take a seat directly below the dais, and he looked up to catch Hector's confused glance. He looked away. All Priam's male children who were of age were present in the court and behind the Army Commander, Perseus stood, holding a large spear. He had become somewhat of a personal assistant to the Polemarchos, Alexandros.
"I have an announcement to make," Priam's voice boomed through the throne room. All went silent.
King Priam stood. "After nearly fifteen years, my son, Paris, has been returned to me," He motioned towards the cowherd-prince who stood shyly beside Aeneas' throne. "I am sure we all remember the prophecy given by Herophile the Priestess of Apollo years ago." There was murmuring. A lot of it. Aeneas let out a stuttered breath. He was sure all the King's children and the younger court officials were confused.
"However, the gods have seen fit to return Paris, my son to me," Priam stated. "He shall be given the title of Prince and he shall become a member of the House of Priam once more. Is there anyone who objects to the will of the gods?"
The whispers had stopped. No hand was raised.
"It has been decided, then," Priam said, although he did not look pleased. "I give you, Paris, Prince of Troy."
-X-
PERSEUS glanced around him, inhaling the scent of the morning. He was glad he could finally be away from the heated and hectic nature of Troy. Aeneas was clearly affected by his meeting with his mother.
Hector had been busy these days since he had been charged with ensuring that Prince Paris integrated himself well into the royal lifestyle. His duties to Andromache and the throne also took up most of his time.
The son of Anchises also rarely saw his father these days.
Perseus had been busy with his duties to the armies of Troy. He had been assisting Alexandros and training whenever he found the time.
It was a welcome surprise when Apollo had appeared two weeks after the introduction of Paris and then whisked him to Delos, to visit his mater Leto. Yes, the god had dumped him on the Island and then left for a council meeting but Perseus had spent the afternoon speaking with Leto about his new life and the like.
A few hours later, Apollo had come to pick him up and then proceeded to dump him in the forests of Troy so he could find his way back to the barracks. He knew it wasn't intentional but he was getting tired of picking leaves from his hair.
Perseus idly played with the hilt of his sword as he walked. He allowed his mind to roam and thought of all the things that had happened in the last year alone. He was finally seventeen and Aeneas would soon be following. He remembered the celebration he, Aeneas and Hector had had, three days after his birthday, when the two had finally gotten some free time.
Perseus continued walking, smiling to himself as he went. Sure, their lives were different now and things kept happening each day but it wasn't anything they couldn't handle. They wouldn't allow something as trivial as lack of time to break the bond they had.
He stopped when he heard the low growl. Instantly his sword was out and the son of Anchises slipped into a stance.
"Who's out there?" His armour was bulky and he cursed, knowing it would be a liability if a battle was to come. He heard a rustle in the bushes and a light laugh, then the patterning of many feet.
"He's good, this one," A male voice emanated from behind him. He spun.
"I bet that'll make him even tastier." It was female this time. Perseus' eyes widened when three lions marched out of the shadows of the trees, closely followed by the female lioness he had heard. Talking lions, with golden fur, feline features and golden eyes. Leonte.
The word flashed in his mind and he bit his lip, clutching tighter onto his sword.
"A demigod," The first male lion's lips peeled open. The eerie, humanlike ways they moved made him shiver. "I thought I smelled one."
"I smell both Poseidon and Apollo on him," Another said as they prowled closer, growling. "Tasty, I bet."
Perseus' eyes narrowed and he stepped back, making sure to remain silent. It wasn't the first time he had faced mythical monsters. But Leonte were smart and they could kill as easily as they could morph into humans.
The four great lions circled him, eyes glinting with the prospect of spilling demigod blood. They bent and he saw each of them prepare. He slipped a knife into his free hand, trying to keep a levelled head.
He steeled his nerves as the first of the Leonte pounced.
-X-
SELENE was flying above the city of Troy when she heard the roars. She peered down from her path in the skies, cocking her head to the side. Her grip on the reins of her chariot was steady and she barely noticed Nyx retreating after spreading her cloak of night around the entire world.
Night had fallen and Selene was riding towards the east to meet with her brother Helios. She had just passed by Artemis in the moon and Her brow creased when she spotted the features of the mortal who had almost made her lose her footing all those months ago on Delos.
Artemis and her brother Apollo often spoke of the mortal when they met Selene and her brother. Selene had wanted to meet the mortal boy, seeing how the twin deities held him in high regard.
She remembered how Lord Zeus had commanded her and Helios to hand over the reins of their chariots to Artemis and Apollo a few millennia after the two were born, as a gift for their 1000th birthday. She had not complained; already the mortals had started thinking of the children of Leto as the gods of the Luminaries. It did not matter to Selene though. Artemis often invited her to hunt with her in the woods, because there was simply nothing else to do, now they had no godly duties.
Selene had often thought about how it would be to fade. However, Artemis and Apollo were constantly making sure she and her brother were engaged in something so that did not happen. Whether it was out of guilt or not, Selene did not know.
She observed with keen interest as the man (Perseus was his name) fought four Leonte ferociously. She saw him duck under a lion paw and slash with precision, nicking his attacker under the eye. He dodged another strike which would have torn out his throat and danced out of the Leonte's reach.
Selene winced in pain when the third leapt forward, roaring and cutting through Perseus' armour, slicing down and creating three huge gashes on his back. He yelled in pain, and backhanded the Leonte, sending it sailing away.
Selene was heavily impressed he was still standing. She watched, extremely interested, as the Leonte shifted into their human forms and began to attack the raven-haired man. She took the time to properly examine him and she liked what she saw. He was well built, with the look of a soldier, broad shoulders and chest, and rightly proportioned arms. He was nimble on his feet and his bright green eyes flashed with anger as he battled off the monsters.
They became a blur of light and shadows, dancing under the moonlight and trying very hard to kill the other. They were mere wisps of sword against claw and knife and she marvelled at the agility and swiftness the man possessed. He had gotten hit a few times, yes, but he took out two of the Leonte in ten minutes.
She saw Perseus, though haggard and battered, with a crazed grin on his face. He was enjoying himself, she could see. He advanced on the last monster and soon, only a pile of ashes and fur remained.
As Selene continued on her path to the East, she couldn't shake the feeling that she would be seeing more of the green-eyed man named Perseus.
A/N: So, yes, Selene and Helios have not faded yet. Mainly because the Romans don't exist yet. I hope you all liked what I did in this chapter. Leave a comment if you did. Thank you! -TripleHomicide.