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Authors notes: Sorry about the wait everyone. heres the next chapter hope you enjoy it
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Chapter 9: Archie's Raging Battle
Whip in one hand and sword in another Archie could attack from both far away and close up. The rain continued to pelt hard against his form. He ignored it. He darted forward. Attacked, retreated. The snap of his whip could be heard. "Come on Cronos!" he yelled. Again, like the others before him his hatred was evident. He snapped the whip at Cronos, leaving a visible mark. Cronos examined the cut before grinning. "Dear boy, I'm still waiting." Archie gave a sarcastic smirk. "Why wait Cronos? Afraid that maybe one of us will beat you? Afraid that possibly one of us will break your immobilization? Is that it? You've waited for us to attack every time. Why won't you attack first?" Archie glared.
At the words "break you immobilization" the team began to fight it. Archie was a good warrior, and the time he put into fighting had been more than any of the others could comprehend. He had mastered the use of the sword he had been given, the whip he carried everywhere, he'd mastered the various deadly weapons that were stocked in the weapons room. He was confident in himself, something the others lacked. He was confident in the training he'd done, in the time he spent in the gym when the others were asleep during the night.
They began again. A deadly dance of dodging, swerving, sliding, twisting, attacking. Cronos seemed to tire this time. The dance continued. Still Archie showed no sign of letting up. Cronos growled slightly as Archie pressed him backward toward the line of trees, weapon pressed dangerously close to the gods' throat. Is it possible to kill a god with the blade of a hero? He's immortal, but if I pushed this blade just a little closer to his throat would he? He pressed forward, then pulled back as Cronos brought a hand up.
Atlanta watched every move, sight sharpened so every blade of grass, and every fiber in the Titan's clothes was distinct. She fought desperately, the icy numbness and helplessness, fading as Cronos stepped closer and closer toward Archie. "NO!" She screamed as the blade narrowly missed Archie's face. It struck his chest, tearing the blue sweater, creating a long, red gash across his chest. She was almost free of the numbing grip. "Thirty seconds Archie!" she called, wigging herself free of the grip. He nodded in acknowledgment before turning to face the advancing Cronos. Beside her, all around she could hear her friends shouting as they found themselves moving. Atlanta, found she herself could move, and sought out the frightened, hatred in Cronos' steely maroon eyes.
Archie sighed as he heard Atlanta voice, he'd watched her fight, the same moves the two of them had practiced so many time before. He was afraid he'd loose her, afraid that she'd be injured as she had before. When his turn came up he felt nothing but confidence and hatred. Nothing but those two emotions. Well maybe a little love and relief for her life. He hadn't listened to Cronos as the god replied to his questions, his mind games and taunts. He hadn't focused his mind or gaze on his friends, teammates or at his loved one. There was no room for distractions. He had discovered that himself as he had prepared during the week. He felt his hopes rise as faint glimpses of his friends moving from the grip. Though he never became distracted. For Atlanta's sake.
"Alright Cronos. You started this. We're finishing it." Archie snarled, for once taking up the role of leader as Jay and the others filed in behind him. He was the weapons expert at this point, he was the one to look to for battle strategies, and he was the one who'd practiced during the late hours of the night. They all brought their weapons to the ready and awaited Cronos' to start. He glared at them and lunged forward… straight at Archie. He caught the teen of guard and the gash that had once been relatively harmless became a huge slash across Archie's chest. He brought a hand to the gash, feeling the warmth of the sticky substance that was flowing out of the cut. He felt the horrified stare of Atlanta behind him, felt the sudden impact as all his friends leapt forward, driving Cronos back.
He dropped to the ground, breathing in ragged gasps as the pain caused him to shudder. He knew it was over for Cronos. He'd harmed them enough, he'd once attempted to kill Jay with a Chimera, he'd sent Stymphalian birds after them, endangered all their lives, attempted to kill Atlanta, created the gash that could be fatal for himself. There wasn't a thing Cronos could do to stop them. The echoing yells of Cronos faded away as the swirling portal closed and Archie felt the tears as he suddenly felt the pain. He could faintly see Atlanta drop beside him, her own tears of worry mixed with sweat. The others sat beside him, battered, bruised, cut, muddy and soaking wet.
" It's Over. Cronos is gone. The world is safe for now, the Gods are safe, and we're safe. At least for six months. If Cronos keeps his word. Though I don't think he will." Jay murmured. He turned to look at Archie. "We need to get you back to the school. How bad is it?" he asked, wondering if he was going to have to get Herry to carry him. The descendant of Achilles glanced down at his chest. "It's…bad." He answered truthfully. Theresa grabbed for Atlanta's hand to comfort the younger girl. "Atlanta, Calm down. I'll be fine when we get to school. It's no worse than yours was." Archie said, smiling despite all pain. He needed to know she was going to be all right and wasn't going to break down.
She nodded. "Ok, Herry, you and I will help Archie to your truck. Atlanta, can you grab a blanket and lay it out over one of the seats?" She nodded. "Alright, Theresa, go with her and make sure she's alright? Odie contact the school and let them know what happened and Neil follow us and don't wander away." "What! I do it once and you always have to mention it!" Archie stood with the help of Herry and Jay, face contorted with pain as he began to walk.
They reached the school, Herry Carrying the limp form of Archie. He was pale, and the gash hadn't lessened in pain. Theresa sat next to Atlanta, wide-eyed with shock and worry, clutching the girl close, sending comfort. Jay paced outside the door, while the Gods did what they could. Hera emerged a few hours later. Atlanta had stopped crying, along with Theresa and the two girls glanced hopefully at the god. She nodded her head toward the doors. "You may go see him now. Do not expect much. He is weak and lost plenty of blood, more than Atlanta had. He will survive though." She said solemnly. She would not tell them of the other half. Not yet.
They walked inside, finding Archie lying down, chest barely visible through the white bandages soaked with blood. He smiled faintly. "Hey Guys." He murmured. Theresa held back, allowing Atlanta to step up to him first. She was silent. Finally Theresa walked up beside her. "Hey Archie. You all right?" she asked quietly. She couldn't handle anything louder; the effect of a group member so close to dying was too much, especially after they had defeated Cronos'. "I'm okay. Rather sore, kind of light headed, a headache. Atlanta." He switched his grey-blue eyes to her. There was still the sparkle of mischief in his eyes, faint and dull, but it was there. "Yes?" She regained her voice after a moment. "Stop worrying so much. I'll be fine." He smiled, no hint of pain found in it. It forced her to smile. "Okay." She sniffed and slowly clutched his hand. "Good. I found a nickname for you. Actually I thought it might fit when Theresa said it in the tree. I was about to tell you but..." He stopped and shuddered as a spasm of pain shot through his body. Biting his lip he waited. "Where's Jay? Or Odie, Neil or Herry for that matter?" "Arch, they'll come don't worry. You really ought to get some rest though." She murmured. He nodded.
"Alright. Theresa, make sure she doesn't flip out tonight. Give her some Tylenol or something to conk her out if she doesn't." Theresa smiled. "Alright. Hear that Atlanta? Now I've got the permission of your boyfriend to knock you out!" She and Archie had successfully lightened to mood, and Atlanta cracked a grin. "Promise me you'll get some sleep. Both of you." They nodded and got up while Chiron came back in, carrying a tray of various medications. Atlanta was the only one to notice just how much he was carrying.