Chapter 18: The Titans Released

Deep in the Underworld, Hades and Mars were talking while Caudus drove off a couple dragons nearby. The hydra looked at the two gods as it walked up to them.

Master, it told Hades. May I have permission to go to Tarturus and look after the Titans?

Hades stopped talking to Mars and looked at him. "Only if it is to watch them. If it's to help your friends, there will be consequences, whether you have your free will or not," he said.

The hydra nodded. It spread its wings and flew deep into the Underworld. Its nine heads looked around as it saw the scenery change. Soon, it roared as it flew down a large hole, and growled as it perched on a ledge, looking into the deep abyss.

"Who goes there?" a grumbling voice echoing out of the tunnel said.

The Guardian of the Underworld, Caudus said. Who is it?

"This is Kronos," the voice responded.

The leader of the Titans?

"The same. What do you want, Guardian?"

I have come to watch you for a while, to make sure no one disturbs you, Caudus said, nervously.

"Very well." Caudus looked around. What could he do? Mars and the others would soon come around to try and free the titans. What to do? The hydra flew inside the pit and looked around. Kronos saw it. "I thought you were guarding. What are you doing down here?" he growled.

Guarding you, the hydra said as it nodded in satisfaction. It had to see if they wanted to be freed.

"Is that all? Or are you down here for another reason?"

Caudus paused. He had to choose his words carefully. Have you ever wanted out of this dump? The hydra asked.

Kronos growled. "Of course we do! We've been stuck in here for a long time. Can you get us out?"

The hydra nodded. My master is going to come soon to talk about a deal. He desperately wants your help so I suggest you push real hard for what you want.

"Excellent. Thank you, Guardian," Kronos said.

Caudus nodded and flew out of Tartarus. It saw Hades and Mars looking at it, and bowed. The Titans are ready for their release, Caudus said.

Mars and Hades nodded, then began to chant. A glow came from the pit, and the Underworld shook. Eventually, the Titans stood in front of them.

"Titans!" Mars roared to the surrounding giants.

They looked at him.

"Mars," Kronos said.

"Kronos," Mars said back.

"We have been freed. What do you want us to do?"

"We need your help to take over the mortal world. I was wronged of my rightful place as king of this land. If you aid us, you shall never be locked away again," Mars said. Caudus was twitching now.

The Titans nodded, and Hades looked at the hydra. "We need your help as well."

It nodded. If you so wish it, Caudus said through gritted teeth.

Hades frowned and looked at Mars. "Are you sure about this? What they turn against us?" he whispered to Mars.

"They will not turn against us," Mars said. "And neither will the Guardian. I have seen it."

Caudus heard this and smirked a bit. The Titans nodded and left with the two gods. Caudus followed them. As they walked out of the Underworld, there was an explosion that threw Hades back.

"What the heck was that?" Hades asked.

Mars growled and looked around. "The gods," he said. "They're here!"

The smoke cleared and Ares was standing there, in his true giant wolf form, along with Athena and the other Greek and Roman gods. Caudus observed them and chuckled, then looked at Mars and Hades.

"You wants to take the first shot?" he asked.

Hades looked at Caudus. "You will be on our side in this battle, won't you?" The hydra nodded. "Good," Hades said, and as Caudus turned his back, Hades shot a beam from his mouth. "But just in case!" Hades added, darkly.

The hydra growled as it looked at Ares. It scanned the gods and roared, as did the Titans.

"Oh no, not again," Ares groaned.

"Not the way I thought he'd turn," said Athena.

Pandora looked at the two gods. "It seems that Hades is in control of him, but only slightly."

They looked at Caudus again and Ares approached the hydra. "You were going to betray me?" Ares asked.

The hydra nodded. I have, it said.

"But why?" Pandora asked it.

Hades has been a good master to me. I did hate him, but at least he didn't treat me like another thing, Caudus snarled, glaring at Ares.

The wolf growled at the hydra. "So be it. This makes us enemies, then. We will defeat you and your master."

Do try, Caudus shot back.

Ares nodded, and lunged at the hydra.