Hi everyone. I am really truly sorry about how late this update is! Life just started getting in the way and didn't stop. And I`ll be completely and utterly honest here…I`m just not really feeling this story anymore. Now I blame a few things for contributing to this. The first is the fact that the show is no longer on the air, and hasn`t been for some time. I`d watch episodes on tv and get pumped up about writing, new ideas coming from character interactions, environments, and so forth. Without it I`ve lost touch with the characters and the show so that's no good. I also blame myself for waiting so bloody long between the end of my first story and the start of this one. It took forever to think up a plot, then as I started writing it all began falling apart. I`ve gone back to the drawing board trying to pick up the pieces on several occasions and it shows. Even the amount of support from one story to the next is clear indication. It`s become more a chore than fun, but I`m sticking it out till the end. I`ve come this far, I`m not stopping now. I think the next chapter will be the last, so expect lots of action coming soon. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own no part of COTT, except for those characters created by myself, nor any lyrics that appear in this story. I write purely for pleasure, not profit.
Chapter Eleven
Whoa, whoa! What the hell? "You mean Cronus is back home in New Olympia?" I shake my head. If that`s true...
I glance back at Gaia, who looks like she just ate a lemon. I can practically see her eye twitching.
"If I mean New Olympia, I would have emphasized the new, now wouldn't I?" she`s now the one shaking her head. "I mean Olympia, the Greek city and birthplace of the Olympic games."
"Oh my God. How could I have been so stupid?" Jay whispers just a touch too loud. We all look his way. Theresa places a hand softly on his shoulder.
"Jay, what is it? What's wrong?"
"It's so obvious!" he gives a laugh. I just raise an eyebrow. I don't get it. I'm even more confused as he turns to me and says, "Olympia!"
"Uh, yeah. I heard Gaia the first time."
"Not so well." Gaia mumbles, taking a sip of her...coffee. If you really want to call it that. I glare at her over my shoulder.
"Just think about it for a moment, Archie." Jay exclaims. I have no idea what he`s still going on about and why he keeps looking at me. Everyone else in our group is too, now. I`m not stupid but I`m also not a bloody mind reader. I give him a look that states as much.
"I have no clue what you`re talking about."
"Jay, why don`t you just explain? We`re all a little confused." Atlanta comes to stand next to me. She gives me a sideways glance and I just shrug.
Jay nods and, still looking my way, begins, "Olympia in its prime was a huge metropolis. Like Gaia said, it was the host of the first Olympic games, which got its namesake from its mother city. But, it`s not what the city is famous for that`s important...it`s where it was built."
He pauses and everyone exchange glances. You can practically see the light bulb over Odie`s head and the huge question marks above everyone else. Gal of course is as silent as a stone, and with her hood up, it`s tough to read her. She hasn`t really said anything since we got here, and its making me curious. Deciding this isn`t the time, I think about what Jay has said for a long moment before the pieces finally click. I had read of it a long time ago in one of Chiron`s books...
"It was built at the base of Mount Kronos."
"Bingo." Gaia mutters from her seat, still enthralled with her drink. I didn`t even think she was paying attention anymore.
"It makes complete sense." Odie states, his tone giving away his excitement. "He`s a complete narcissist! He thrives on power and his ego. Of course he would put his base of operations in both a place he feels powerful and in a place that was named after him."
"I know I would." Neil says with a smug grin. Rubbing his nails on his shirt, he gives the perfectly manicured digits a good inspection. "Nothing says how awesome you are than your own monument. I`m surprised I don`t have one yet!"
"Yeah, real shame." He misses my sarcasm, still inspecting his nails.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Herry pounds a fist into his palm. "Let`s get going!"
Jay`s on his PMR before Herry`s even done speaking. Odie`s on his as well, no doubt marking coordinates and thinking up a plan. Everyone else seems excited, checking weapons or talking with one another in amped tones.
Atlanta grabs my arm and gives me a small shake. "Isn`t this awesome? We`ll finally be able to finish this, for good this time!" She slips on her wrist bow, ready for action. A shiver goes down my spine at just how sexy the action is. It`s like the entire world just disappears, like Gaia`s magic did a few minutes ago. It`s just Atlanta, the girl I love. How did I get so lucky? With movements as graceful and powerful as a stalking lioness, she slips her arms around my waist and hugs me. "We`ll get your sister back and put this whole nightmare behind us."
I hug back, feeling stronger for it. Glancing over Atlanta`s shoulder, I look at Gaia. "Thank you for helping us."
"No, thank you." Setting down her cup with a light chink she looks me in the eye. Her features are no longer the loving grandmother-type, but those of a predator. I feel her gaze going through my very soul, her eyes sharp as glass, and my blood turns to ice. Time seems to stop and I hear her voice in my mind, though her lips aren't moving. You should always read before signing...
As quickly as her features changed, the look was gone as Atlanta turned to give the Titan her thanks as well. She accepted with loving eyes and a wide smile, telling her to be careful and she wished we would visit more blah, blah, blah. If I wasn`t so rooted to the spot, I would have thought my mind was playing tricks on me. No such luck.
"Archie, Atlanta, come on." Theresa`s voice reach my ears. "We have to go meet the gate."
Atlanta grabs my arm and pulls me away as my eyes refuse to leave the Titan. She just gives me a merry wave and a "See you soon!" before turning back to her coffee without a care in the world. I`m pretty sure I can hear her humming to herself as I finally turn away and follow the others. What the hell have I done...?
Running through the alleyways of Jakarta, I feel like a rat in a maze. How could anyone get used to this chaos? The streets seem to have no order to them as they snake about the metropolis in every way but straight. It seemed easy to get to the bay but finding our way back has become quite the challenge. It didn`t help that it was now close to midday and the temperature had risen substantially! Even in the shade it was scorching!
According to what Jay told us, Hermes had initially dropped us off in the least populated area of town. Makes sense; having a huge magic gate appear in front of you would give anyone a heart attack. Unfortunately, with it being noon, said area of town is now fairly busy and we have to meet up with the gate in another part of town. It`s not too far from our drop off point but these streets are making it hell to get around. We`ve already gotten turned around twice and if it weren`t for our GPS we would have been screwed. Worst part of it all? A lot of these back roads and alleys aren`t on any map! It`s like the minotaur`s labyrinth!
"How much further?" Neil whines for the tenth time. I`m ready to punch him if it`ll make him shut up.
Odie, with his PMR out, has been guiding us as best he could to the rendezvous site. Stopping the group, he glances around and then back at his PRM. There are no street signs to go by and few people know English. He gives a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his thick hair. "To be honest, I couldn`t tell you. This road were on isn`t even on the GPS! I`d estimate were roughly five minutes away, but finding our way there is going to be much longer!"
Jay glances at his watch, his eyes narrowing. "I told Hermes we`d be there almost fifteen minutes ago. How does anyone get around this place?"
I take a good look around the area. We`re obviously in a less affluent area of town with shanty-like two story buildings and homes, many of which have boarded up windows and peeling paint. Many of the places are shops, selling a variety of goods from herbs and fruit to furniture and other hand-made items. Most had brightly colored canopies of thick fabric bolted from their stores over their wares to keep the sun off them. Even with the added colors, the place was still gloomy. Business must certainly be down I ponder.
"Such a desolate place." Galenthias finally speaks up, making a few people jump. They must have forgotten she was there.
"No kidding." Herry states, taking a whiff of the air. A nearby bakery had just brought out fresh bread. "Smells good though!"
Another frustrated sound from Odie brings me back to the issue at hand. Giving us a wave, he begins walking again. Following, I suddenly feel Gal`s paw on my shoulder. I glance back at her as she slows her pace. I follow suit, falling back from the group.
Paw not leaving my shoulder, she growls, "What you did with Gaia...that was dangerous and stupid."
I feel my anger spike but I keep it reigned in. She`s just expressing her feelings. "Look, I know it was pretty dumb, but without her help, we still would have no idea where Cronus is."
"I may not be as old as many Gods, but I have...how do you humans put it? I have been around the block a few times." Her use of the term surprises me. Who would have thought she was up on current slang? "She is dangerous and devious, as Hera said. I should have stopped you from doing something so rash!"
"Gal don`t worry about it. What`s done is done. We got what we needed, and I`ll deal with Gaia later."
She finally lets me go as she shakes her head. "I don`t know if I praise or hate your confidence. One of these days it will end you and no magic will be able to pull you back." She stops walking and I turn to look at her. Head slightly bowed, her normally regal presence gone, I try and get a glimpse of her face. It`s still impossible.
"Gal? You ok?"
Straightening, she begins walking again. As she passes she says, "I have a very bad feeling about this. I hope you are ready."
"Well, if I`m not, I`ll find out very soon." I tell her, following in her wake as we catch up to the others. The group had stopped again, still trying to figure out where we were. Now Jay had his PMR out as well while Theresa was trying in vain to ask a shopkeeper directions. Judging by the raised voices and the man`s flailing arms I`d say it isn`t going too well.
"We`re getting nowhere fast." Jay sighed as Gal and I reached the others. "This is ridiculous! How did we make it through this maze before?" Running the back of his hand across his forehead, I saw just how exhausted he looked. Everyone looked like they were ready to drop at any moment, and the situation was beginning to make everyone irritable. If we didn`t get there soon, we probably never would. Taking a good look around, I was suddenly struck with an idea. The man Theresa was trying to communicate with was selling furniture. Just maybe...
Taking my sword off, I passed the weapon to Atlanta. "Hold this for a moment, please." She takes the weapon without a word but gives me a confused look as I take off my hoodie as well. God only knows why I was still wearing it...Placing it too in Atlanta`s arms, I do a quick stretch, eye up my trajectory then burst out into a dead run straight towards Theresa and the furniture shop.
"Archie?" Atlanta yells as I hit the store. With an easy jump I land on top a large wooden table the man is selling, scaring both his and Theresa. Without losing momentum I muster all my energy into a flying leap that lands me on one of the canopy. I breathe a sigh of relief as it doesn`t rip.
"What are you doing?" Theresa`s yelling at me. So is the shopkeeper, though I have no idea what he`s saying. Whatever it is, he`s pissed! Steadying myself, I eye my target. The man`s shop is one of said two story buildings. The second floor hosts two large windows, each with a rusted and disused balcony. Steadying myself, I leap towards the nearest balcony, just managing to grab the bottom metal rung. I wince as the rusty metal flakes and digs into my palms but the thing holds and I climb up.
By now I`ve gained the attention of nearly everyone on the street and quite the crowd has formed. I can still make out my friends in the mass of curious people. Odie seems to get what I`m doing and is cheering me on. He flashes me a thumbs up as I keep going.
Now for the hard part. The balcony was lower than I thought it would be. I can also feel it starting to shift a bit. A sudden creak and a snap throws me off balance. The bolts are starting to come off the walls with my added weight. Dust and concrete bits rain down towards the crowd and a collective gasp is raised. Knowing I have to move fast, I climb onto the balconies railing and reach for the edge of the roof. I`m just able to get a good grip as another bolt comes loose and my feet become free floating. There`s another gasp but I`m not worried. Pulling myself up and over the lip of the roof the crowd cheers at my antics and success.
Now on the roof I have a perfect view of the city. Forget those stupid roads; I now have a birds-eye view! A sudden chirp from my pocket signals a call, and I grab my PMR. Flipping it open, I hear Jay`s voice. "That was stupid and reckless."
"Yeah, but now I can see where we`re going." There`s a pause on the other end and I chuckle. "What`s the coordinates again? I`ll get us there faster."
Relaying the numbers, I punch them into the PMR and was rewarded with a small red dot on my screen. Odie was right, it was close. Looking over the city, I memorize the fastest route and relay it back to Jay. Signing off, I toss my PMR back into my pocket and slowly make my way down to the cheers of the people of Jakarta.
Once at the rendezvous point Jay called up Hermes and let him know we were ready. Instead of sending us straight back to the school, Hermes punched in the coordinates to Olympia. Soon the group had left the heat of Jakarta and were standing in the middle of a hilly, white rocked Greek ruin. The sand crunched beneath my sandals as I walked through the gate and into the Greek sunlight. The place isn`t much to look at now, but I can see how it would have been the place to be a couple thousand years ago. The pillars of old buildings still stood, silent monuments to ages past. What really caught my eye though was the solitary, shrub covered mountain rising above the long dead city. Mount Kronos.
"That`s it?" Herry pondered, looking at the mountain. "It looks like a giant hill, not a mountain."
"I expected something more...intimidating." Theresa gave the `mountain` a doubtful look. "It looks like it`s been through hell."
She was right. Most of the tree`s that littered the mountain were charred and black. The grasses were either brown or black as well, clear signs of a forest fire. I raised a brow, rubbing at my stomach. During my acrobatics in Jakarta, I think I pulled something. "This is seriously where Cronus is?"
Jay pipes up as we begin moving towards the crag. "This is the only Mount Kronos in the world. He would have no doubt used a temple dedicated to him, but there were few such temples ever built. They`re all nothing but crumbled rock and stone pillars now."
It only takes us about fifteen minutes of walking before we hit the base of the mountain. I don`t know where Cronus would keep an entire fortress, but I am not seeing any entrances... "And we`re sure this is the right place? I don`t want to have sold my soul for nothing."
The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them, and everyone is suddenly sporting sad looks and examining their shoes.
"Asshole." Atlanta whispers next to me before moving away. I shake my head, mentally berating myself.
"Theresa," Jay takes our minds away from my words, "Can you use your abilities to try and find where Cronus might be hiding in here?"
Theresa nods and closes her eyes. We all watch expectantly as she lets out a low breath, concentrating. A few minutes go by, and I`m almost sure we have the wrong place before Theresa gives a small gasp. Eyes flying open, she grins and starts climbing the rough terrain. "I`ve got it! Follow me!"
"A hike? But I just bought these shoes!" Neil whines but follows anyway. Herry gives him a sharp slap on the back, nearly sending him into the dirt.
"Buck up there, buddy."
Now that there`s no people around, even though the day is gorgeous, Gal takes the hood of her robes off and takes a better look around her. Her yellow eyes contract to slits with the sudden sunlight and I`m ever so grateful she`s on our side. "This brings back so many memories..." she sighs, looking almost sad as she stares back at the old ruins at the mountains base.
"I thought the Temple of Hecate you looked over was back in Argos." I question her, as she looks so incredibly depressed about the city in ruins.
"That is true," she replies as we continue to follow Theresa up the mountain, "but as Hecate is one of the Chthonic, ora deity of the Underworld, she had a cult-like following that spread all the way from Aegae to the island of Crete. There was a large group of followers here in Olympia during its time. To see any of the cities in such a state, especially one that flourished such as Olympia, my heart aches."
Seeing Galenthias so sad makes me feel deeply for her. It must suck big time to have to live forever, seeing your friends die around you, cities you called home turn to nothing but dust and old stone...I was about to say as much when Theresa gave a yell down to us.
"It`s here! I found it!" With that she disappeared over a small rise in the earth. I exchange a look with Gal and, adjusting my estoc across my shoulder, we jog the rest of the way. Coming over the rise, were met by a peculiar site. It`s like a little plateau on the side of the mountain, but there is no temple entrance or anything that looks even close. All there is is a large pile of boulders. Meeting the rest of the group down on the plateau, I give the pile a look.
"Ok, so...this is it?" I can`t keep the disbelief out of my voice."
"I swear it is." Theresa nods in such a way that I can`t not believe her. Jay and Odie then walk over to the stones, giving it a look. Odie runs a hand over a few of the massive rocks then freezes.
"I can feel a breeze between these rocks." Odie states excitedly. "Herry, could you move these?"
"Well, coming from you buddy, that`s a dumb question." Herry cracks a few knuckles before walking over. I take a step back on principle. The guy has a knack of throwing before looking. A movement behind my right shoulder reveals a flash of red. Atlanta...Turning around I take her by the shoulders and pull her into a strong hug. She`s resistant at first, obviously still mad, but relaxes after a moment.
"`Lanta, I`m sorry for what I said earlier. I really am an asshole, and I didn`t mean to hurt anyone."
A brief moment passes, the only sound moving rocks and a grunt from Herry, before she returns the hug. "I`m not forgiving you so easily," she mumbles, "and I`m expecting a massage when we get back home after this."
Her words have a double meaning and I nod into her hair. Don`t die. "You be careful too."
One last grunt from Herry and he slaps the dust off his hands. "Well, folks, that`s all she wrote." As he steps aside we`re all met by a large, winding tunnel leading deep into the mountains heart. There are no lights to illuminate the way, and I can hear Odie gulp. The darkness seems all consuming and even for me it`s quite intimidating. And I fell off a goddamn building!
"Well..." Neil stares down into the black abyss, "I guess this is it, huh?"
"Yup." Odie just nods, still staring at the dark, confined space. This is going to be hell for the little guy.
"Alright everyone, stay sharp and watch your footing." Jay instructs us all, digging into Odie`s bag and tossing us each a Promethian Fire stick. "Also, everyone check your weapons before we go. I don`t want anybody caught unaware." As the group begins checking weapons, or cracking knuckles in Herrys case, Jay walks up to me and Atlanta. I`ve still got a tight hug on her but she doesn`t seem to mind.
"Archie I know you have more of a vested interest in this fight, but I want you to follow my lead, alright? No jumping into anything alone. You have a weapon you`re not familiar with, you don`t have any protection on your heel," I shift my foot a bit, all too aware of my weak spot, "and you`re not immortal. Don`t toss yourself into danger just because your sister`s down there. We`ll get her back as a team."
I nod but that doesn`t seem to be good enough for him. "I understand. No stupid stuff."
Giving my shoulder a pat, he leaves to speak with the others. I finally release Atlanta who stares up at me. "And if you do anything stupid," she says, "I`ll make sure you regret it the rest of your life."
"Yes, ma`am!"
Once everyone was ready, the Promethian Fire sticks were lit one by one. Waving the rest of us to follow Jay took the lead and we filed in after him into the darkness.
The way was dark and damp, water dripping from stalactites on the roof as we all wound our way through the dark tunnel. The way was slick and we all made sure to keep a good footing. Slipping here could mean anything from a sore tailbone to a twisted ankle. Odie was doing better than anyone expected, sticking to the middle of our little line just behind Herry. Maybe it was the larger boy`s presence that was calming him.
The walk was long as we made our way into the heart of the mountain. We also seemed to be going down, my ears popping a few times due to pressure change. We had been going for what felt like hours and I was pretty sure we would hit Hades before our trip ended when suddenly the path opened up into a large cavern. The surroundings glowed an eerie red color, making the wet floor look like it was on fire. Stalactites and stalagmites covered nearly every corner of the cavern, looking like monstrous teeth. I couldn`t help but whistle at the sight.
"Sweet!"
A sudden growling echoed through the area, and I turned quickly on my heels to find Galenthias, teeth bared, eyes black slits in an orb of gold, snarling at the scene before us like an angered wildcat. "Woah, Gal, what's up?"
She didn't spare me a glance as she stared into the dim area. "I can feel him, his evil. Cronus is close; I can smell his stench."
"You can smell him? That's a little creepy Gal."
That caused her to stop her growling and look my way. "I don't think I quite understand. What is 'creepy'?"
"Nothing, never mind." I shake my head.
Jay just gives the two of us a questioning look before he begins walking again. No one says a word, too intent on Gal's words. Cronus was close and no one wanted to be caught in a surprise attack. Walking on, the cavern was quite large and shaped a bit like an 'L'. The cavern led us straight for quite a while before we could see a bend in the path. Turning the corner, we were met by quite the sight. A huge Greco-Roman era temple was set in the rock face with a large skull just above the entrance.
"Oh my God, that's incredibly tacky." Theresa pulled a face. I couldn't help but laugh. It was most certainly Cronus's style...
"Guys, get down!" At the sound of Jay's command the group dropped as one behind a grouping of stalagmites just in time to avoid the eyes of one of Cronus' disgruntled giants. The creature swung its head in all directions, the polar bears head seemingly taking on human emotion as it grunted. It looked bored…or it could be mad, I don't know. I don't read polar bear well. I feel Galenthias next to me tense, looking like a panther ready to spring.
"Well at least we know we have the right place." Herry mused, crouching as low as he could. His larger bulk and added height made anything covert difficult.
Tapping my foot impatiently, I listen as the idiot creature shuffled by our hiding place completely oblivious to its unwelcome visitors. Once it was out of ear shot, I glance back towards the cavernous entrance the giant had just exited. "So what's the plan?" I whisper to no one in particular. I wonder if that thing can smell us…
"First we get past that guy," Jay nods his head after the animal-giant hybrid, "then we play it as safe as possible as we go."
"Real reassuring." Neil muttered, hugging the rocky outcropping like a lifeline.
"So how do we play step one?" Atlanta mused as she adjusts the wrist bow. I mirror her actions, adjusting my grip on the slim sword.
"Like this." Galenthias growls, a low guttural sound more animal than the human she once was. She begins muttering words I can`t understand and draws a crude mark into the hard dirt floor with one long claw so fast my eyes can`t follow. Without a word, she suddenly stands, stomps her left rear paw down hard on the markings and thrust out her right forepaw. The air around us begins sparking with dark energy and I watch as…something black travels from the mark, up her body and blasts from her extended limb like a shotgun. Sounded like a shotgun too, the force and power behind her shot rattling my teeth. Her aim true, the black energy smashes into the back of the giants head, dropping it like a rock. Poor bugger didn't even know what hit him. I don't know what hit him.
It's only after a tense couple seconds that I realize my hands are cupped over my ears. Grabbing my estoc from the dirt, I stand and glare at her. "Christ, subtle much? Why didn't we just use a cannon to blow his head off, cause I'm not sure if Japan heard you or not."
"I did not blow his head off." She rolls her eyes, giving me a look like I'm some slow-witted child. "I simply knocked him out. Now let's go."
Moving from behind the stalagmites we all follow in her wake. I just shake my head. Crazy bloody ancients. Always hiding the cool powers until you don't need them.
"What was that anyway?" Theresa brushes past to walk next to Hecate's assistant. Gal doesn't answer right away as we enter Cronus' base. Holding out breath, we make sure the coast is clear before continuing. The main entrance branches off into a number of natural and seemingly manmade tunnels. Not sure which way is best, we silently follow as Jay takes lead down one such unnatural tunnel off to our three o'clock position. With no apparent danger present, Galenthias finally answers the redhead.
"It's a very ancient form of black magic Hecate taught me long ago. Through certain symbols I can harness natural occurring energy and warp it to my needs. I held myself back just then."
"That was holding back?" Neil's expression is priceless. "Id hate to see that thing go all out." Next to the blonde Herry nods vigorously.
Continuing down the winding tunnel in relative silence except for a few whispered words between Gal and Theresa, I send a silent thanks to whoever's watching upstairs that Galenthias' little trick didn't bring the cavalry down on our heads. A nice in-out operation, is that too much to ask? As though he knew exactly where we were going, Jay took us down tunnel after tunnel, all in a slow downward spiral. Most were lit by flaming wall sconces that threw dancing shadows down the eerily silent corridors. Others had no light to speak of whatsoever so Gal drew another symbol and stomped on it. I had my hands halfway to my ears before I realized the small ball of white light hovering over her paw wasn't going to detonate. I had the sudden urge to call her Harry Potter but thought better of it. I'm pretty sure I did hear a hidden 'Lumos' behind Atlanta's sudden and incredibly fake sneeze. Good Lord, we are such nerds.
I had lost all track of time by the time we finally hear sound of any kind. With a flick of his wrist, Jay produces his xiphos' blade and we all followed suit. Odie grabs his PMR, testing the tazer-like apparatus as Herry cracks his knuckles. Neil just looks around nervously as Gal extinguished the ball of light and throws us into darkness. Following the sounds for a tense minute, I soon realize that it's voices. Both together makes my stomach drop and sets my blood on fire at the same time. Cronus and Angie…I don't even realize I've sped up until Herry's heavy hand on my shoulder slows my headlong rush. I can`t stop the angered scowl I shoot at him.
"Ease up, Archie." Jay's hand on my other shoulder seems to ground me. "We need to do this smart."
"I know." I breathe. "It's just…" I can`t seem to get the words out of my suddenly dry mouth. The situation seems to abruptly fall heavy and hard against my chest. This could go so wrong so quickly. Jay seems to sense my distress and giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze he moved forward, taking point. Herry lets me go and graces me with a smile that says I get it, don't worry. I get a sudden rush of gratitude, grateful for such amazing friends. After all I did to handle this on my own…I was such an idiot. Atlanta's close presence allows me to find my feet and I hurry to catch up to Jay, my fingers curling around Atlanta's as I move. I need to keep her close, protect her. I have two precious girls in my life, and I already let one down. I'm not about to repeat my mistakes.
I find Jay and the others just around a small bend in the tunnel. They're huddled beneath a large fissure in the stone wall, creating a near perfect rectangular window through which an eerie green glow filtered. With the ambient green light I could make out Jay waving for us to stay down but I can`t help myself. Peering through the hole, my blood turns to ice. I'm pretty sure my heart has stopped as well. The room is huge, held up by large obsidian pillars but that's not what's caught my eye. Situated on a raised platform over a pool of what looks like acid, Cronus is pacing back and forth like a caged tiger. Kneeling before him is my sister, hands tied behind her, eyes red and puffy from crying and looking absolutely terrified. Seeing red instantly I'm halfway through the hole before Herry grabs me a second time, hauling me backwards to land hard onto my back.
Scrambling I try in vain to try and get back on my feet. I have to help her, get to her, save her like I didn't before. Get up, get up and go! Herry's massive hands hold me down and I open my mouth to yell, to scream at him to let me go, let me get to her when another set of hands are clamping over my mouth. I have half a mind to start biting.
Atlanta's face appears in my vision like some god sent avenging angel and I feel myself calm slightly. She's saying something but it's so soft I can barely hear her, making hushing and just breathe with me hand gestures. I try and take a few deep calming breaths but find it's suddenly hard to breathe. Reaching up I effectively rip Jay's hands from my mouth. His eyes tell me exactly what he thinks, and I hold my palms up in a sign of surrender. Doesn't mean I'm still not ready to rip Cronus' head from his shoulders but I'm passed yelling obscenities. Feeling the worried gazes of my friends I chose instead to just stare at the tunnel ceiling, taking large gulps of the damp cool air. For his part, Herry doesn't let me go as Jay motions for everyone to listen. Cronus has started yelling again.
"Why? I don't understand it! What is it about that damn brat that makes him so special? You both have the blood of Achilles so why are you so…useless?"
"Please…I just want to go home!"
Herry grips me hard as I tense at Angela's scared whimper. That bastard…I'm going to rip him to pieces and have his giants choke on them!
"Brainwashing was ineffective…you cower before weaponry…how am I supposed to use you against those kids if you can`t even hold a sword? And there's no reaction from the medallion what so ever. Simply useless!"
What, does he think our necklaces are made of, pixie dust? They don't grant power. It's then that I realized Cronus' so called 'Master Plan'. He figured he could throw the necklace on my sister and she'd transform into some kind of ass-kicking super kid just because we wear ours 24/7. It's cause we need them to get into the Gods wing. Was he really that stupid? What he did to Robert had been pretty smart. I guess brains are hit and miss with this guy.
Still on the ground I can't see what's happening but heavy footsteps approaching the raging Titan has me struggling to sit up. Herry shoots me a look that says don't tempt me before helping me up. Straining to hear what's happening, I pick up bits and pieces of conversation, including Agnon's name. Then Cronus' maniacal laughter was filling the room, seemingly bouncing off the shadows.
"They're here are they?" Cronus raises his voice, as though knowing we're within hearing range. "Well, there's still one test left to attempt it seems. Whether it works or not, there'll be one less brat to waste my time with." A distinct clinking reaches my ears and I'm at the fissure in an instant. Who cares about staying hidden now that our covers been blown? I hadn't even stopped to think how long it would take for someone to find their ally. The greenish glow from the acid pit reflects off the cool silver of my medallion clutched in the Titans grasp as he saunters towards my sister. Faster than I can comprehend, he tosses the chain over Angela's head and grabs the back of her shirt, hauling her off the platform and over his head.
"That thing brought your brother back from the dead. Let's see if it can do the same for you."
It's like someone hit the slow motion button on a remote. I can feel myself rushing forward the same moment Cronus grins and tosses Angela like a rag doll towards the pool of bubbling acid and neither mine nor Angela's screams can do anything to stop it.
I made this one a bit longer than usual to try and make up for the delay. Hope you liked it! Until next time!
»Crystal Marionette«