Chapter 21: Resolution
Suddenly, Caudus shot up and roared. A few minutes later, he stopped and looked around.
Ares? The hydra asked. What...?
The wolf ran over to him. "You are out his control? You are all good?" Ares asked.
Caudus nodded. I am.
"Good," Ares said, before tackling him to the ground.
He licked the hydra's scaly hide, smiling at him. Caudus smiled back, and then saw Pandora, Flamma, Argentum and Articulos walk up.
Guys, I- he started to say, but Pandora held up a hand.
"It's all right," she said. "We forgive you, Caudus. It wasn't your fault."
The hydra stood up and hung his heads in shame. It was, said the hydra. I was frustrated at being used, and Hades told me I could have a purpose and it...I didn't just want to be a tool.
"You chose to work with him, but he took control of you after the battle started," Ares said. "He betrayed you."
He wasn't the master he should have been, Argentum said, a little stiffly.
I know that now, Caudus said. He sighed and looked at them. I must continue my duties as the Underworld Guardian without him.
"And I promise not to be so...demanding," Ares said, and Caudus smiled.
Thank you, Ares.
Ares turned to Argentum and Flamma. "What about you two?"
The Cerberus and Griffin looked at each other, discussing what to do.
Flamma sighed. Well...we really did want to have a normal life with our kid. But when Caudus bit me, I got stuck in this form. Argentum is fine, but... her voice trailed off as she looked at the Cerberus.
I'm also in this form forever, he said.
Ares smiled. "So is Articulos."
"Everyone has a reason for it," Zeus said, who had come over to the rest of them, the titans having also been defeated. "Flamma was bitten by a hydra in her form, Caudus was made the Underworld guardian, and Articulos being stuck is due to Mars possessing him. As for Argentum, well, I think he can explain what happened to him." Everyone turn to the Cerberus.
Well, it's not really permanent. I can switch back, but I prefer my Cerberus form, Argentum said.
But what about your kid? Articulos asked.
The Cerberus looked at Ares. Is there any way he could become a mythical creature?
Ares looked at him in wonder. "Is that what you really want?"
I don't know...I was just wondering what we can do about our son now that Flamma and I are mythical creatures. Do you have any suggestions, Ares?
Ares thought about it for a moment. "Would a Manticore please you?"
The Cerberus coked his heads in confusion. What's a Manticore?
Pandora was the one who answered this. "A manticore is a creature who has a body of a lion, a tail of scorpion, large bat-like wings and the face of a man," she described.
You want our son to become a Manticore? Flamma asked Ares.
"It's not my decision. If you want something else that's fine. But I think it would fit. Both you and your son would be able to fly together, and his father would be able to run with him. Unless you have another suggestion."
The two creatures discussed it before looking back at the god.
That would do fine, Argentum said. Where is Licinus, anyway?
Pandora disappeared for a moment, and then re-appeared in her natural form with Licinus in her arms. "You forgot you left him in my care. I kept him somewhere safe," she said.
Thank you, Pandora, Argentem said. He looked at Ares. You're going to turn him into a manticore, then?
"I won't lie, it can be a bit painful," he warned.
Flamma and Argentem looked at each other, then at the wolf god.
Do it, the Cerberus said.
Ares nodded and concentrated. Licinus started to moan, and then it turned into a full on cry as his body started to change. The hedgehog's body began to morph, growing and changing shape. Licinus cried louder as he transformed. Once Licinus was done crying, he looked down at his paws, then up at his mother.
Flamma smiled and nuzzled him. "Are you alright, Licinus?"
Licinus smiled and nuzzled her back. Ares howled in happiness.
Thank you, Ares, the Cerberus said.
The giant wolf smiled. "So the battle is over, and I am no longer needed here," he said.
You're going back to the heavens? Caudus asked.
Ares nodded and looked at Flamma. "Before I do, I will put a spell on you two. You have served me well, so when you die, you and Argentem shall become statues in my temple."
Are...are we really deserving of that? Argentum stammered.
"You are."
The two smiled.
Then we will be forever in your debt, they said together.
Ares nodded, then chanted in Latin and cast the spell at the two mythical creatures. The giant wolf smiled. "I must go now, but pray to me, and I will hear it. Come visit me in my temple too."
We will, Ares, Articulos said.
A bright light shone upon the wolf, and he vanished.
I must be off now as well, Caudus said.
Back to the Underworld? Articulos asked. The hydra nodded, then closed his eyes and vanished. The red dragon looked at Argentum and Flamma. I might as well go now. I still have my duty to represent Mars for the gods, and now he's dead their will be work to be done, he said.
He vanished as well. Flamma and Argentum looked at each other, then at their son.
So, shall we go home? Flamma asked.
We shall, the Cerberus said, and started walking off. Licinus flapped his wings, trying to fly.
Flamma smiled, picked up Licinus with her beak and looked up at the sky.
'Thank you very much Ares,' she thought, before following her husband.
