Thank you everyone for all the sweet comments! Seriously, all your kind words made me so happy!

As always, big thank you to my betas FlourChildWrites; and, introducing one of my new betas, Wind_and_Sky22! Thank you both for making this readable. 3

Chapter 24: We do (not) Desert

Darkness shifted down a deserted street, and a man and a woman emerged from the shadows.

Not slowing her pace, Momo reached up and adjusted the cloak around her shoulders. The night wind tickled the newly exposed skin at the back of her neck, but Momo didn't pay it any attention as she followed close behind Todoroki. On the other end of the city, panic over the escaped slaves and ensuing chaos could still be heard. However, the tight streets Todoroki and Momo traversed were silent. A far cry from the storm of anxiety swirling through Momo's mind as they made their way towards the tavern.

Momo's fingers tightened around her spear. Beads of sweat dotted the back of her neck and hands. The elation she felt from their earlier kiss had already been swept to the back of Momo's mind as fear and uncertainty about the operation overtook her thoughts.

It was clear that Trumpet wasn't an ordinary slaver. He had captured a nymph, a being supposedly incapable of being imprisoned by mortal means, and didn't appear to be afraid of the consequences of his actions. It meant Trumpet was either arrogantly wealthy or was sponsored by someone. Perhaps both.

A shiver ran down Momo's spine. She swallowed over a dry lump in her throat. What was even more worrisome was that Trumpet's men had been armed with godly gifts. And without knowing what those gifts were, it would make the operation exceedingly difficult.

The injury cascading down Momo's side burned as if to remind her of the earlier encounter. She slid a hand underneath her cloak. Pressing a palm against her side, Momo quickly bit back a hiss as her fingers grazed the bruised skin that was likely already dark and purpling.

The warning in the back of Momo's mind grew in intensity. It was arrogant for Todoroki and her to embark on this mission unprepared, especially after Momo's earlier collapse. If Trumpet's guards had gifts even a fraction as powerful as the head slaver's, she would be in trouble if they got into a direct confrontation.

Momo bit her lip, mind reeling as she tried to summon a strategy.

There was nothing. No other choices.

They didn't have the time to reunite with Tetsu-Tetsu and Kendo for support. And if they postponed the operation, the city guard would have time to reorganize or Trumpet would move locations. The best time to act was truly now.

A hand suddenly shot out in front of her, jerking Momo out of her thoughts. She stumbled, and an arm slid around her waist, stopping her from lurching forward.

"Yaoyorozu!?" a husky voice whispered. "Are you alright? Is your head bothering you?"

Momo blinked and looked up. While she had been trapped in her thoughts, they had arrived at the tavern.

Heat flared across her cheeks. Hurriedly, she stepped out of Todoroki's arm and pressed her back against the wall next to him. "I'm fine. I was just considering our operation," she said, not meeting his gaze.

For a moment, Todoroki didn't say anything, then his lips pulled up into a thin smile that didn't reach his eyes. He lifted an eyebrow. "And that winning operation was to just walk right in? Sorry for stopping you. I didn't realize that was the plan. " His voice lilted up at the end with sarcasm.

Momo snorted, embarrassed and offended. "Of course not," she grumbled before pushing roughly into Todoroki's side to glance around the corner at the tavern again.

The building was a modest two-story house made of wood. A thatched roof, with overhanging eaves, was supported by dried clay bricks. And a tall wall of white stones encircled the back of the house, creating the traditional Greek courtyard. To the side of the wall (only a few meters away from the front entrance of the tavern) stood a wooden barn.

Momo turned her gaze back to the house. From the few windows carved into the side of the tavern, lights could be seen flickering through marble shutters on the first floor. The top floor of the tavern was dark, except for one room at the far end of the building.

That would be where Trumpet and his entourage would be. The nymph as well. A flicker of movement behind the shutters in the tavern's first floor window caught Momo's attention.

A lookout.

She pressed her lips into a hard line and withdrew back into the shadows. "There's a sentry in the first floor window. And I don't see any other openings outside of climbing over the wall. But if Trumpet is as cautious as you heard, then he most likely has someone guarding the back entrance as well. It's going to make it difficult to get in without a confrontation."

Dropping her gaze to the ground, Momo pressed her index finger to her chin in thought. It was out of the question to use the front or back entrances to storm the tavern. If Trumpet's men were regular mercenaries, Momo was certain that she and Todoroki could win. However, if they were using magicked items, then the certainty of Todoroki and her victory was in question. And they couldn't afford to act any more rash than they already had.

Tapping her finger against her chin, Momo considered their alternatives. If they could get onto the roof, without being spotted, they could, perhaps, break through a window. The only problem was that marble didn't melt or freeze, so they would have to smash the shutters to enter, and that would create needless noise.

As Momo contemplated their options, the more aware she became that Trumpet wasn't ignorant. When they first arrived at the tavern, Momo thought it was poor judgment that Trumpet hadn't relocated to a new location or at least stationed more guards outside. However, the more she considered the building's structure, the more it made sense that Trumpet hadn't felt the need to move. Although located in the center of the harbor district, the tavern was taller than most of the surrounding buildings. And, with only a few watchmen, Trumpet had a clear view of anyone coming or going.

She bit her lip again. That left only two other options: wait for Trumpet to leave or…

"We need a distraction."

Momo's heart dropped into her stomach as she met Todoroki's silver and turquoise eyes through the darkness.

"I'll lure Trumpet's guards out. You sneak in after -"

"No," Momo said stiffly, cutting Todoroki off. She clenched her fingers into a fist over her chest.

She wouldn't be able to stand for Todoroki to take on the responsibility of distracting Trumpet's men by himself. No matter how strong he was, it was too risky. Her heart couldn't handle that stress. Her stomach felt as if it were twisting into a tight knot at the thought. The fear from earlier, at the idea that Todoroki was abandoning her, was still too fresh in Momo's mind. The sharpness of her terror was like ice sliding down her spine.

She couldn't — wouldn't — leave Todoroki's side. Not now. Not ever again.

It was a promise.

But, what choice did they have?

"We can help with a distraction," a gravelly voice whispered from the alleyway behind them.

Momo jerked her head up and spun around. Out of the darkness, the innkeeper emerged, followed by four comrades.

The other men were of varying ages and builds. Each had their own weapon: ax, whip, forging hammer, and knives.

All household items.

Her eyebrows pulled together in confusion.

"What are you doing here?" Todoroki asked.

The innkeeper gave a wry smile. "We can't just let Trumpet take my lil' brother without saying something."

Momo chewed on the inside of her cheek as she looked over the men accompanying him. "What do you plan to do?"

The innkeeper reached into his chiton and pulled out a small brown drawstring bag. "Money. The only thing Trumpet loves."

"Besides power," one of the other men added.

"Yes, besides power," the innkeeper agreed with a snort.

Todoroki tilted his head, white and red eyebrows knitting together in skepticism. "Will that really be enough to draw Trumpet's men out?"

The innkeeper's smile turned dour and grim. His fingers tightened around the pouch. "Probably not. But we do have a backup plan to save my brother if this fails."

"What do you mean?" Momo frowned as she looked between the men and the household tools they brandished like weapons. Then it hit her. Her eyes widened, and she gasped. "You can't! Why would you risk your life?"

Todoroki looked at her. His eyes widened as it apparently dawned on him as well; he shot his head up to stare at the innkeeper in disbelief.

The innkeeper's lips twitched then turned up into a forced smile. "Sorry to break it to you, lil' missy, but we would be done for anyway. You don't know how Trumpet works. Whether he releases my brother or not, there is no way he'd let us live. Especially after you release the nymph, he'll know we were helping you and probably accuse of us of releasing his other slaves as well. There is no way he wouldn't retaliate. We have a better chance of survival doing this than trying to run away."

The other men nodded in agreement.

"Couldn't you go to another city?" Todoroki asked.

"What? Go to Sparta, with you?" The innkeeper laughed under his breath. "We are proud Dicaea citizens. I won't go to another city to become a second-class citizen. Besides, if I'm going to die, it might as well be saving a nymph. Perhaps, I'll get to go to Elysian for the heroic deed."

Momo opened her mouth to object, but the innkeeper's expression was firm. She realized he wasn't going to change his mind.

Momo pressed her lips together and swallowed back the guilt twisting in her stomach. "Okay. We'll leave it to you. Please keep them distracted as long as possible; Todoroki and I will be quick. We'll rescue the nymph and get out as fast as possible to assist you. Be on guard; some may be using magicked items."

The men nodded. "Alright."

"How should we get in?" Todoroki asked. "Trumpet and his guards will be watching from upstairs. Should we try the back?"

Momo shook her head. "That might take too long. And if someone is serving as a lookout, it would ruin the diversion strategy."

"So, through the barn?" Todoroki asked, looking away to stare at the wooden structure attached to the tavern.

Momo nodded. "It will be closest to the front door. And if everyone is busy focusing on -" she glanced up at the innkeeper.

"Bigshot."

"On Bigshot and the others, our chances of getting in will be highest if we go that way."

"Seems sound," one of the men behind Bigshot said. He raised his hand, fingers curled and thumb tucked between the middle and index fingers, in a sign of good luck. "We'll keep them off your tail."

Bigshot gave a sharp nod of agreement before straightening up. He stepped around her. Momo thought he and the others were about to leave when he hesitated and turned back to look at Todoroki. "And if…" Bigshot started, then hesitated. His expression momentarily flickered in pain before he swallowed. "If my brother can't make it, please end it painlessly for him."

Todoroki's expression flickered for a moment before he nodded sharply.

Bigshot breathed in deeply, looking between Todoroki and Momo for one more second before drawing himself up. "For the family," he growled. Turning, he and the four other men trudged past them and out into the street.

"Trumpet!" Bigshot shouted, jutting his hand in the air with the bag of coins. "I've come to bargain for my brother's release."

For a moment, the street was silent. Then there was a loud slam, and the front door of the tavern was flung open; Trumpet's slavers marched out. They were a band of dirty, hard looking men numbering around ten.

Bigshot held his ground as they approached. "I brought everything we have -"

Crack.

Bigshot didn't get to finish as the first slaver lunged forward and slammed a fist into the innkeeper's cheek. The burly man fell backwards, skidding in the dirt.

For a moment, the world seemed to still. Then one of the innkeeper's men roared and darted forward, ax raised to protect Bigshot. The other slaver's pulled out weapons.

Momo stared, stunned as the street quickly dissolved into chaos. Trumpet's men weren't even planning to listen. The slavers didn't care. It was as the innkeeper had said — Trumpet would kill them no matter what happened. Momo's stomach twisted as she watched weapons being drawn. Curling her hand into a tight fist, she tried to will herself not to be sick as the iron stench of blood filled the air.

Next to her, Todoroki twitched. His hand darted down towards the sword at his side.

Momo reached out and grabbed his wrist. "We can't waste the time they are buying us," she whispered.

Forcing herself to move, Momo pulled at Todoroki. She turned from the battle and started down the side alley leading to the back of the barn. If they snuck through the wooden building, they could come out near the tavern's front door, hopefully unnoticed.

Quickly and quietly, Momo and Shouto slipped through the barn's sole window and dropped down into an ox pen. The animals huffed and kicked at the ground, anxious at the noise raging outside. Momo's heart beat louder in her ears than the clash of weapons as they slid through the pens towards the barn doors.

Cracking the doors open, Momo glanced outside. One of the innkeeper's comrades was on the ground, blood pooling around him. The other men weren't doing better. They were outnumbered, ill-equipped, and inexperienced.

Momo's heart felt as if it had plunged into her stomach. She had told herself to trust in them, but sitting here, watching the innkeeper and his family get overtaken, was too much. She felt useless.

Todoroki stood next to her, and his fingers trembled as they gripped his sword. Embers flickered along his skin.

Wasn't there anything they could do to help them? Her heart pounded as an idea came to her. Momo turned and hurried over to the nearest pen.

"Yaoyorozu. What are you –"

She flung the door to the stall open. "Light the barn on fire!" she hissed under her breath.

Todoroki's eyes widened, and he wavered for a moment before his expression steeled. He knelt down and held out his hand towards the dried grass covering the floor. There was a crackling sound, then amber and titanium tinted magic erupted like embers along Todoroki's skin, sparks jumping and flying out to ignite the grass lining the ground.

Momo turned and hurried towards the next stall. A beautiful chestnut horse kicked at the ground. Its dark iris shook as the smell of smoke caught in the stuffy air. She opened the door.

"This is going to go up fast." Momo heard Todoroki mutter behind her.

From the corner of her eye, she saw the flames squirm across the floor towards a wooden cage of chicken and geese. The birds squeaked and clicked in panic. Momo cut the lock on their cage, and the birds jumped out in a flurry of feathers.

A hand suddenly grabbed Momo's arm and pulled her towards the corner of the barn as the animals scurried out of their cages, fear reflecting in their eyes as the fire continued to grow.

"What next?" Todoroki asked.

"We are going to release them as a distraction."

Todoroki's fingers tightened around her arm. "It may buy us some time, but what about Trumpet and his guards? They are probably watching from above. They'll see us enter."

"Exactly." Momo pressed her mouth into a hard line. The smell of smoke had grown stronger. Embers crawled up the side of the barn like termites feasting on the dry wood. She looked back at Todoroki. "That's why you'll need to create a diversion. We'll need you to draw their attention away. Blind them with your fire. Make it as big as you can. By instinct, they'll look towards the flames, and we'll use that time to sneak in. But, they will only be distracted for a second, so it's going to come down to timing. Are you alright with that?"

Todoroki's jaw tightened as he stared at her. He released her arm, and his fingers returned to the hilt of his sword at his side. "Yeah. Sounds good."

"Okay." Momo's throat was dry as she glanced back towards the closed doors of the barn. "Wait for my signal."

Her pulse rang in her ears, but she didn't have time to compose herself. She pulled out of Todoroki's arms and inched closer to the barn doors.

The barn had filled with dark cloudy smoke, and the animals stamped and cried out in alarm. As soon as she opened the doors, Momo was certain the animals would rush out, charging blindly away from the fire. Momo could only hope that they wouldn't trample the innkeeper and his family in their escape.

Momo pushed up against the door before glancing back across the room to meet Todoroki's gaze. "Ready?" She mouthed.

His silver and turquoise eyes flashed. He gave her a sharp nod.

Momo set her jaw and pulled the door open. The animals squealed and charged forward blindly, pushing through the crack in the barn doors and out into the street.

Behind her, there was a loud boom. Scorching heat and wind pushed at her back, pushing Momo through the door after the animals.

She took off at a run, hoping the distraction would help Bigshot and his comrades, but didn't have a chance to check as she slid through the tavern's door, Todoroki on her heels.

The heat radiating against her back was quickly replaced by a freezing gust. Momo turned around to see that Todoroki had frozen the entrance shut.

"That should keep them out for a while," he whispered in explanation.

She nodded, then turned around to survey the empty tavern. It wasn't much different from when they had visited earlier in the day with Fukukado and her men. Long rectangular tables with wooden benches had been squeezed into the hall at every angle. Cups of alcohol and games of dice sat out, ready for the slavers to resume.

Momo stepped into the house when abruptly Todoroki moved. Like lightening, he shot past her and grabbed something at the other end of the tavern. Momo twisted around, but she didn't see anything, only Todoroki holding the air as if a person were there.

The air suddenly shifted, and where once was only darkness, the air began to bleed into shades of tans, whites, and reds to match Todoroki's visage.

A chameleon.

Todoroki picked the man up by his throat. The slaver thrashed within his grasp, his eyes bulging out. Then, without hesitating or lowering the slaver from where he was holding him, Todoroki twisted the man's neck. There was a sharp crack, hardly audible over the commotion outside of the tavern, and the slaver's body stilled.

Todoroki dropped the body onto the floor. He looked up. His eyes were molten silver and blue. He nodded towards the stairs before slowly making his way across the room.

Momo looked at the man lying on the ground one more time before following Todoroki up the stairs and into a dark hallway lined with four doors, two on each side.

Todoroki paused at the top of the stairs. He turned around and leaned down until his mouth almost brushed against her ear. Momo shivered as his breath tickled the sensitive skin. "Remember, you promised me you wouldn't fight."

He pulled back and stared at her, waiting for a response.

Momo bit her lip and gave him a quick nod. For as serious as the situation was, Momo couldn't ignore the funny way her stomach flipped at the look of intensity in his gaze. Her ear felt hot where his lips had almost touched her.

Todoroki inhaled deeply, seemingly satisfied with her response. He turned to continue down the hallway, obviously not as affected as she was by the close contact. Momo wavered for a moment, her ear still hot from his breath. She patted her cheek, collecting herself, before following after him.

Dim light filtered from underneath the last door on the right. Angry voices and mumbled cursing could be heard from behind the wood. Todoroki stopped suddenly and pushed Momo behind him. His other hand reached down towards his sword. Momo glanced up, but Todoroki wasn't looking at her. His red and white eyebrows arched downward in concentration. Momo leaned forward to listen.

"Sir. We'll have to move. The fire is spreading too fast," a muffled baritone said.

The sound of angry footsteps followed another man's voice, higher in pitch. "Fuck. Fuck! Fuck! This is all your fault."

There was a strained hiss as if someone were trying hard not to scream. Momo flinched. Todoroki's muscles were wound tight, like a predator ready to spring into action.

"Sir, we have to get going," the man inside said again.

"I heard you," the other man snapped. "Fine. I'll open the cage. Grab the woman. Make sure to keep the herbs around her neck."

"Wait!" another deeper voice interrupted. "I feel like something isn't right. I'm going to check outside."

Momo's stomach dropped. Her hand clenched around her spear tighter. Her heart was pounding in her chest so loudly that she was certain it would give them away. She looked up at Todoroki as the footsteps drew closer. Todoroki's shoulders tensed then he leaned down until his nose was almost brushing against hers.

"Remember your promise," he whispered so low that she could barely hear him. Then he moved.

It was like her rapidly pounding heart abruptly stalled. Momo tried to grab at Todoroki's chiton, but he was gone, sliding out from behind the door and rushing towards the guard.

Endeavor flashed in the flickering candlelight. Todoroki swung his sword up at the guard's throat. But the sound of metal slicing through flesh never came. Instead, there was a crack of steel as Endeavor struck against metal. The floor shook violently under the impact, and Momo fell to her knees.

'Todoroki.' She wanted to scream. But her voice caught in her throat as she watched the second guard unsheathe his sword and dart towards him.

Momo's heart jumped, and she slapped her hands over her mouth to contain her scream. Her insides twisted as a cold shiver ran down her spine.

Todoroki pivoted. He slammed his foot into the guard's stomach. Off balance, the man flew through the air and crashed into the wall behind him with a sickening crunch. The wall gave way, and the guard tumbled out of the gaping hole.

Todoroki grabbed the charging man. The momentum flipped them both, and then they fell through the crater left in the wall.

"Todoroki!" Momo couldn't contain her scream this time. She rushed into the room, but Todoroki was already gone.

Momo glimpsed a flash of silver in the corner of her eye. She spun, and her hand slammed out, catching a man with long, black hair in the nose.

Thick fingers loosened. A dagger clattered to the floor. The man stumbled back, howling in pain as he clutched his face. Blood dripped through his fingers, painting his chin and black mustache scarlet.

Panting, Momo stepped forward and slammed her spear across the man's face. He crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

She turned, her gaze darting around the room. A cage sat in the middle of the space. A woman with pinkish-hued skin lay twitching inside.

Against the opposite wall, a man was slumped against the floor — the tavern owner.

Her fingers twitched. She glanced towards the gaping hole in the wall. Outside, men fought along the street in a fearsome brawl of steel and blood. Momo glanced along the dark street and spotted Todoroki fighting against the two guards.

Her legs shook at the realization that Todoroki was okay, and Momo let out a deep breath before collecting herself. She needed to stay composed. Todoroki would be okay. She had to believe in him.

Momo forced herself to pivot and go over to the tavern keeper, kneeling before him. Momo reached out. "Hang on! Your brother is here to save you."

Slowly, the tavern keeper raised his head. His face was bruised and bloody. He smiled, and Momo saw he was missing teeth. "Don't worry about me. Go get the nymph." His voice rattled with every word.

Momo looked over her shoulder at the cage. It was the one she had seen back in the alleyway on the outskirts of Dicaea. The nymph was slumped against the bars furthest away from Momo. Her eyes closed as if asleep. Or dead. Momo's stomach felt hard, like rocks were sitting within her gut at the thought.

"Okay," Momo said to the tavern owner as she hurriedly stood. "Just-just hang on a moment as I grab her. Then I'll help you."

"You'll need Trumpet's blood and a willing fingerprint," the tavern keeper called after her with a labored breath.

Momo swiveled around, and she stared imploringly at the tavern keeper. He met her eyes and then jutted his chin to the side, wordlessly pointing towards the man she had knocked out.

Swallowing, Momo grit her teeth and hurried over to Trumpet's limp form. She knelt down and shook him. Trumpet groaned, and his eyes blinked open slowly. Grabbing his arm, Momo pulled Trumpet up and towards the cage before throwing him to the ground in front of the cage's door. She stepped back and spun her spear around to press the tip to Trumpet's jugular. "Open it."

Trumpet's black eyes narrowed, and his lips curled up in fury. Momo hissed and dug the edge of her spear into his throat. "Don't make me repeat myself."

Trumpet stilled. For a moment, he didn't move. Sweat had accumulated on his neck and forehead. Momo watched as a bead of it ran down the side of his face before falling off to land with a silent splatter against the wooden floor.

Seconds slowed to a crawl as Momo waited. Her heart was pounding against her ribcage even as she hardened her heart against the aches and tremors in her chest. Her breath came in such violent shudders that she swore she would bruise.

After what felt like an eternity, Trumpet swallowed. With cautious, jerky movements, he brought his hand up to her spear and ran the tip of his finger along the edge of the blade. Scarlet bloomed along the gash. Swallowing visibly, Trumpet turned towards the cage and held his finger up to the lock. The insignia burned red before fading, and the cage clicked open.

Momo twisted her spear and slammed the butt against the back of Trumpet's head. He groaned and collapsed on the ground again.

Momo jumped over his body and hurried forward. She knelt by the nymph's side. A bitter ammonia-like smell was being emitted from a locket hanging around the nymph's neck.

The smell made Momo nauseous. With slow movements, Momo reached out and touched the necklace.

It was like knives slicing through her skin. Momo gasped and jerked back.

"Are you okay?!" The innkeeper called behind her.

Her stomach heaved. The pain and smell coming from the necklace was overwhelming. Momo doubled over and emptied her stomach. She should have known that it wouldn't be that simple.

Drawing shallow breaths, Momo sat back and looked down at her hands. There were no markings. The necklace was enchanted to keep someone from unclasping it, but it wasn't to cause physical harm.

"Girly?" The raspy voice of the tavern keeper called again.

Momo wiped at her mouth. "I'm fine," she answered. Her voice was rougher. She looked at the necklace again. There must be some clue on how to take it off.

Her gaze lingered on the chain, but there was no defining feature. Momo's eyebrows pulled together in concentration. There must be a counter, Momo didn't believe that Trumpet would put a necklace on the nymph without a way to take it off, and he didn't seem to be the type of man who would do the work himself.

"Did you see how they put this on her? Did they say anything or do anything special?" Momo asked, looking over her shoulder at the tavern keeper. She bit her lip. His face was paler than a moment ago, and his breathing was heavy. He needed help.

Momo curled her fingers into fists on her lap as she waited for the tavern keeper. After a moment, the man mumbled, "There wasn't anything special. He put it on her and then-then asked some sort of riddle."

Momo's throat tightened. Her heart pounded faster in her chest. "Do you remember what it was?" she asked slowly.

The tavern keeper frowned, then, in an unsteady voice, said, "What question can you never answer yes to?"

A question you couldn't answer yes to? Momo frowned as she tried to think. The riddle was straightforward. There were no double meanings that she could detect.

Momo looked down at the nymph lying before her. The nymph's eyes were glazed over as she leaned against the side of the cage as if she were resting comfortably — almost as if she were asleep. "When can you not give an answer?" Momo repeated under her breath.

"Did that help?"

Momo's jaw trembled as an idea formed. "Yes. I think I know how to free her."

She took a deep breath and moved closer to the nymph. She reached out. Her fingers trembled a centimeter from the necklace. Momo's mouth was dry. She tried twice before the words formed. "Are-are you asleep yet?"

Before she could reconsider, Momo reached forward and touched the necklace. Nothing happened. She let out a deep breath; her shoulders dropped. If she weren't already sitting on the floor, Momo was certain she would have collapsed from relief.

Momo unhooked the necklace. It fell away without any difficulty. The nymph twitched.

"Are you okay?" Momo asked as the nymph blinked her eyes slowly and sat up.

She had golden eyes surrounded by black sclera. "I think so. Where are we? And who are you?" she asked, her voice thick from whatever slumber the incense had put her in.

Momo tried to smile. "Momo Yaoyorozu. And you were being held here. I came to free you."

"Yaoyorozu?" The nymph repeated slowly, before smiling sleepily. "I'm Mina Ashido. I owe ya. But why is everything so blurry? Do you have a twin? I think there are two of you?" She reached up and rubbed at her eyes. Her short pink hair, like spring azalea flowers, flapped around her as Ashido shook her head.

Momo bit her lip. "I'll get you out of here. Can you walk?"

Ashido nodded slowly and pushed herself up. "Yeah. I think I can. Opps -"

Momo caught her arm. "Careful. I got you," she said, holding Ashido up as her legs wobbled.

Downstairs there was a sudden crash, like glass shattering. Or ice.

"Little rat!" A voice called in a sinister sing-song voice.

Momo's insides shivered. Ashido flinched as her fingers tightened around the nymph's arm, and Momo let go. Her heart pounded. They needed to leave. The sound of heavy footsteps ascending the stairs grew closer. She grabbed Ashido's hand and dragged her towards the broken wall. The smell of smoke wafted through the air.

The fire from the barn had spread, and Momo could see flickers on the roof already. She looked down. They were on the second story. This wasn't the same as the warehouse that she had jumped out of earlier that night. A jump from this height would no doubt end in an injury.

'Promise me you won't fight.'

Todoroki's words reverberated in the back of her mind. She swallowed and turned to stare at Ashido. "We need to get on the roof!"

Ashido's golden eyes widened. "What? But the fire-"

The sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway. Momo's stomach twisted viciously. "We can't stay here. Go!" she said in a sharp voice.

The roof was made of a mixture of reeds and clay. It would only be so long until it became engulfed in flames. But they didn't have time to be picky.

Momo kneeled down. "Up."

Ashido's eyes shook for a moment before she stepped onto Momo's knee and jumped. Grabbing the side of the roof, she hoisted herself up.

Momo stood and rushed over to the tavern keeper. She grabbed his arm and pulled.

"Leave me!"

"No! I promised your brother."

The tavern keeper shook his head. He flashed her a grim, bloody smile. Then he removed his hand from his stomach. Momo gasped. His palm was printed bright crimson.

Momo had seen injuries like his before — during the war. A slice to the stomach, meant to kill him slowly. It reminded her of Tokoyami's injury the day Troy fell. She felt sick.

"Go. I'll buy you some time," the tavernkeeper said, pushing himself up. His legs shook, and he grabbed the wall for support.

Momo could barely breathe. Her throat felt so tight she thought she'd choke. The tavern keeper's eyes narrowed. He pushed Momo towards the window. "Go! Now!"

Momo stumbled backwards. The door to the room burst open behind her with a chilling crack. Her gaze jerked up, and a chilling sensation, like ice shards, formed in her stomach as her eyes met the head slaver's. Or, at least, his remaining eye.

The head slaver stood in the doorway. The right side of his face was mauled. Bloody muscle stuck out of his face where skin should have been, and his right eye was completely gone. A normal person would never have been able to move after receiving those injuries. It was only the magic keeping him upright.

Movement from the side of her gaze caught Momo's attention. Her breath caught as the tavern keeper stood, still holding his bleeding, wounded stomach.

"I won't let you pass." The tavern keeper held up a sword that one of Trumpet's guards had released.

Momo's heart shook, and she forced herself to move. She leapt off of the crushed wall and grabbed the edge of the roof, hoisting herself up.

A chilling crunch sounded from below, and a shiver ran down Momo's spine. She felt sick. How could she have left him? He had wanted his end to be heroic, but still, if Momo had stayed, she could have helped him. Maybe she could have saved him.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to soothe the guilt clouding her heart. The air scorched her lungs, as if to burn Momo for her cowardice.

"Yaoyorozu!" A high-pitched voice cried out in alarm.

Momo's eyes shot open. She snapped her head up. Ashido inched towards the far end of the roof. Eyes wide and terrified, her gaze flicked between Momo and flames.

The fire from the barn was spreading faster than she had anticipated. Flames danced along the roof, twitching and jumping as they advanced across the reeds. It wouldn't take long until the fire had engulfed the entire building and then spread to the surrounding area.

"Eek!" Ashido screeched. "Hot. Hot! Hot! I hate fire!"

Below Momo, the reeds shook as someone grabbed onto the roof. Momo looked over the edge, and her heart felt like it had completely stopped as she met the head slaver's lone eye. The remaining skin of his lips curled up cruelly.

Momo ducked away. She scrambled to her feet as fast as she could and bolted forward towards Ashido. Standing in front of the nymph, Momo pivoted and swung her spear around. There was crunching noise, and the roof shook as a large figure pulled himself up.

Momo looked at Ashido. Her mouth was dry, but she forced out the words. "Can you use magic?"

Ashido squeaked. "No. Yes. Sort of -"

"Anything that can help fight?" Momo interrupted.

"I can make tree sap or bug slime…"

Across the roof, the head slaver pulled himself up in a single motion. The reeds shook, snapping under his weight.

Momo steadied herself as the roof shook. She felt her heartbeat spike. Her throat was tight. "That's good enough! Spray the floor with the slime as soon as he gets into range."

The head slaver charged forward.

"What? Now?"

"Now!"

Liquid white magic condensed in the air. Squelching, the ball of magic exploded, spraying like seafoam across the rooftop. It hit the head slaver and rained down upon him, coating the reeds under him.

The slaver hissed, slowing in confusion. His feet slid against the reeds, losing purchase.

That was all the time Momo required; she lunged forward.

The slaver swiped at her, but his balance was off, and he swayed backwards, slipping. Momo rushed forward; she whipped her spear around, slamming the butt into the slaver's stomach. He barely flinched, but it was enough. Already off-balance, from the slim and his missing eye, the slaver wobbled backwards towards the edge of the roof.

For a moment, the slaver teetered on the edge of the reeds, arms flailing as he tried to regain balance. Then his good eye widened. Fear twisted into his hard expression, and he disappeared over the edge.

A sickening crunch rang over the violence, shaking the earth as the slaver's body slammed into the ground.

Momo stumbled backwards, feet sliding along the reeds as the house shook from the shockwave. With the magic, the slaver would probably survive. But even with the knowledge and even as her and Ashido's route of escape closed, Momo couldn't help the feeling of relief that overcame her.

It was over. She had won.

Seems I have a thing for fires in this story. ^^; Anyways, sorry for the lack of romance in this chapter. Hopefully, the last chapter's kiss will hold you over until this arc ends, which is next chapter. Almost there! Then I swear it's like at least 2-3 (maybe even 4!) chapters of cuteness.

Notes:

Citizenship in ancient Greece – You were only considered a citizen in your own city. And by migrating to a new city you could lose a lot of privileges you had in your home state. For instance, a non-citizen may receive some legal protection, but they did not enjoy full citizen rights, such as voting and owning land.

Elysian Fields - Watered by the streams of five rivers (Styx, Acheron, Cocytus, Phlegethon, and Lethe), the Underworld was divided into at least four regions: Tartarus (reserved for the worst transgressors), the Elysian Fields (where only the most excellent of men dwelled), the Fields of Mourning (for those who were hurt by love), and the Asphodel Meadows (for the souls of the majority of ordinary people).

Windows - While ancient China, Korea and Japan widely used paper windows, Ancient Greeks didn't have paper or glass. Glass wasn't used for windows until 100 AD by the Romans, instead ancient Greeks used window shutters. The Grecian window shutters were constructed of marble and had immovable louvers.

Opium - the incense around Ashido's neck was opium. According to google it has a bitter taste and it is usually dark brown and has a unique ammonia-like smell.

Fig sign - The gesture used by Bigshots comrade of putting his thumb between two fingers was called the Fig sign and it's to ward off evil spirits. It's actually from ancient Rome but historical accuracy? What historical accuracy? I have Japanese characters in a Greek plot. Lololol.

The chameleon slaver - this was the low level villain from the USJ attack in season 1 of My Hero. Bakougou was the one who defeated him when the students were scattered across the training ground.