Yup, another chapter. I'm so on a role right now! Anyways so this chapter is a bit...creative. It makes sense to me, but if you guys find anything confusing just message me and I'll make sure to clear things up. Anyways enjoy:D
" So, how did things go?" Hermes questioned as the heroes stepped through the portal and into his room. Theresa still lingered in the back biting her lip.
" Theresa?" Hermes asked knowingly.
" Ummm" she started to speak, but Jay saved her from having to answer.
" It didn't go too well", Jay explained, " Cronus got away with the device"
" That's not the only thing he got away with," Archie muttered under his breath, which earned him a kick in the shin from Atlanta.
" What do you mean?" Hermes asked, confused.
" Odie will explain" Jay answered as he turned towards the genius. Odie pulled out the helmet of invisibility that Autolycus had dropped during his struggle against Cronus and placed it gently at Hermes's hovering feet.
" I don't get it" Hermes responded, still confused.
" Umm, Autolycus didn't make it back out with us" Odie explained as the others bowed their heads in shame.
" He didn't…" Hermes started, but he could not finish such a sentence.
" No", Odie replied, looking around for support from his friends, who nodded for him to continue, " He was taken by Cronus". Hermes expression fell into one of despair as he sank slowly into his chair.
" I'm sorry" Odie said as he motioned for the others, except Herry to leave. The two friends watched awkwardly as Hermes sat and stared at the computer screen in front of him in shock and his gaze fell on the helmet beside him. But suddenly, it was as if something had snapped inside him. Hermes turned to the helmet beside him, picked it up and hurled it at the screen that seemed to be staring him down. Shards of broken glass flew everywhere and scattered about the floor, reflecting the hatred in Hermes's eyes.
" Damn Cronus!" He screamed before collapsing into a heap on the floor and Herry quickly rushed over in order to prevent any further injury to him or the room.
" We'll get him back Hermes. Don't worry" Odie mentioned.
" How?" the messenger of the gods asked, a defeated look in his eyes.
" He's a bad guy, he's predictable. We'll figure out where he is hiding and kick his ass. We have to" Odie said smiling slightly to himself as the darkened facial expression of Hermes started to lighten.
" So…" Archie started as he and Atlanta walked down the corridor towards Hera's office.
" I'm still not going to tell you" Atlanta responded knowingly.
" Come on! We're alone. Just tell me already!" Archie begged.
" Oh my gosh Archie. Just shut up!"
" Not until you tell me"
" How about this. I'll tell you after we finally defeat Cronus. Okay?"
" You know I'm gonna hold you to that?" Archie said as he wrapped Atlanta in his arms and leaned in for a kiss only to be denied the pleasure.
" Just shut up you dork," Atlanta joked as they entered Hera's office.
" Hello children. What is it you need?" the goddess greeted.
" To put it simply we need to know more about the asteria device" Atlanta explained.
" I see, well take a seat," Hera said as she motioned towards the couch. " You are aware of the four elements I suppose?" she asked.
" Yah, earth, water, wind, and fire" Archie answered as he blushed about knowing such a thing.
" Yes, you see the entire universe it made up of such things"
" So the asteria device controls these?" Atlanta asked.
" Well, that and one other. Each arm of the device controls something different. Four of these arms control those previously mentioned, which are dangerous. But it is the fifth, that is the most dangerous of all"
" What does it control?" Archie questioned.
" Free will"
" I don't get it" Atlanta mentioned.
" Humans are allowed free will. This lets them make decisions for themselves and lead their daily lives as they wish. But when such a gift is taken away, humans are placed under complete control of the universe or a sole force. No matter what they do, the outcome will always be the same. They would have no control over the situation. They could be forced to do things, horrible things"
" But what does this have to do with the universe or the four elements?" Atlanta asked even more confused than before.
" The universe is ruled by many different forces, each relying on one another. When one force gains complete control, the universe goes into chaos and things lose their balance. When free will is taken out of the equation, other more deadly forces take control."
" Okay…I kinda think I get it. But how is this thing used?" Archie asked.
" It must be brought to the top of Mt. Olympus, the previous home of the gods, and placed upon an alter at the top. Each arm must be facing the element it controls. If the inscription on each arm is read aloud, the person who spoke has complete control.
" We've got to go tell Jay" Atlanta mentioned.
" Be careful" Hera called after them as the two rushed out to find Jay. " For the world's sake, be careful" she whispered under her breath.
" Ugh, Where could he be hiding?" Jay asked himself as he pulled his hair angrily in frustration and flipped through various textbooks that lay scattered on the table in front of him.
" Well isn't the point of hiding not to be found?" Neil answered before getting a menacing look from Theresa. The three heroes looked up as Archie and Atlanta walked through the door.
" We know where Cronus is!" Atlanta announced eagerly.
" Where?" Jay questioned.
" Mt. Olympus" Archie answered, but seeing their confused faces he added, " we'll explain on the way". Almost on cue, Odie and Herry burst through the door.
" Hermes is missing!" Odie announced.
" WHAT?" Five of the other heroes screamed in unison.
" We left his room, just for a minute, to get something to eat. When we came back, he was gone. And this was on the portal door" Herry explained as he handed Jay a note that read:
Dear Kids,
If you're wondering where I am, I've gone to Mt. Olympus to fight Cronus. I'm more than just a messenger you know, I'm a father. Don't worry about me; I have things under control, so no need to worry. But by any chance if you hear me screaming (which you probably will) some backup would be greatly appreciated.
Your faithful messenger,
Hermes
" Looks like we've got a problem" Archie mentioned after the letter was passed around.
" Let's go" Jay ordered as the others followed him to Hermes's room and the portal.
" Off to Mt. Olympus" Theresa announced as they followed Jay through the portal, completely unaware of what was waiting for them on the other side.
So what did ya think? How on earth is Hermes going to fight Cronus? In fact in the previous chapter, how did Cronus get such strength? Will Cronus succeed in his plan? Ahhhhh so many questions, and no answers...not yet anyway. All will be revealed at some point. Anyways please rate and review.