Out Of The Darkness
Chapter 16
Okay a good chunk of this chapter is similar to the book since i couldnt change it but ive for most part put it in my own words the only bit copied is the bit i could change for the life of me - the part where the Dark-Hunters enter Sanctary to side with Ash its my favourite part in the entire book i couldnt bring myself to change it. This is a heads up so pleasee please dont tell me how much it is like the book after this chapter and the next it will completly deviate since its the end of Acheron's last book and im gonna branch out the story.
Demons, Daimon's and Dark-Hunters …Oh My
Acheron groggily came around, wondering where he was, why he felt as if he'd been beaten by Artemis. Not because he felt pain, but because he in general ached, he also slept longer after being beaten by her. Then the memories of last night flew over him, his eyes sprang open assessing his surroundings. He turned around slightly, a small smile made its way onto his face. Simi was lying at the bottom of the bed, her head leaning off it watching QVC. The volume was muted, so as not to wake him up. Just then there was a knock at the door, before Dev entered. His face was tense and full of fear and worry? Ash felt his entire body stiffen, he had a feeling what the bear said next - he wasn't going to like at all.
"What?" asked Ash half afraid of the answer.
"A group of Damon's just seized Harry," said Dev. "Three of them are fried to a crisp down stairs."
Acheron closed his eyes in dread, Harry could protect himself, but not against beings he didn't understand. Just because he'd explained it to Harry it didn't mean he understood. Even if he somehow managed to tears through them he had no way of getting back. Clothing himself, and changing his hair back to black but with silver highlights instead of red. "Where did they go?" growled Ash his fury bubbling past breaking point.
"Kalosis," said Dev, blushing at the swearword followed by his announcement. That was saying a lot considering Dev could come up with words just as bad.
Ash desperately wanted to lash out at someone; lucky for Dev he knew it wasn't the bears fault. Demon's exited outside the rules of sanctuary. Sanctuary's only protected Apollites, Daimons and Were-Hunters. Worse still they had taken Harry one place he couldn't follow. The plan had obviously been carefully thought out and executed. He almost admired them except they'd taken Harry; in turn Ash wanted their blood. Nobody hurt the people he loved and lived.
"I can go to Kalosis, Akri. The Simi will get Akri-Harry back for you." said Simi eagerly.
"NO!" boomed Acheron wildly. Simi could hold her own against almost anything and anyone. Unfortunately she couldn't fight all the Gallu Demons by herself. It didn't help the Gallu and Charonte Demons were natural enemies. Simi was a Charonte Demon and she was still very young in terms of power and strength. "I'm not risking you being harmed." he told her. They would use Simi in a second. Although part of him was surprised they hadn't tried yet. Then again Simi would just tear them apart, and enjoy it while she did.
"Simi return to me," said Acheron, he wasn't taking any chances, Harry was already at their mercy he wasn't going to let them get Simi.
"How many were there?" asked Acheron speaking to Dev once more.
"There were six, three are down stairs," said Dev sounding impressed. Harry had turned around to see them, they'd grabbed him and three of them began to burn. The other three had taken him and he'd been unconscious as well. They must have done something to him. "They took him through a bolt hole before we could get there. I'm really sorry we did our best."
"I know you did." said Acheron, "Now its between me and them." he said viciously and Dev pitted them - they'd gone up against the wrong man. Before he could say anything else Acheron had teleported out.
"Matera?" called Acheron loudly, summoning his mother from the hell realm where she lived.
"Apostolos?" asked Apollymi curiously.
"I forgave you for sending Stryker after Marissa Hunter in an effort to lure me into Kalosis to free you, but this… How could you?" his anger snapping at the end of his sentence. Marissa Hunter was his god daughter. The beautiful girl he adored was the daughter of two close friends. Amanda and one of his Ex-Dark Hunter's Kyrian of Thrace, now known as Kyrian Hunter. He'd endured days of endless pain to barter his soul from Artemis. Being godfather to his daughter…was worth it all.
"How could I what?" she yelped in surprise "What are you talking about? What have I done this time?" her tone held nothing but genuine surprise and shock by his sudden accusations. What was her son talking about? Whatever it was - it couldn't be good. Unless it was something he felt strongly about he didn't speak to her that way.
"Demons entered Sanctuary and took Harry into Kalosis." said Acheron. "Are you telling me that you have no knowledge of this?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying!" she said angrily. "I will take care of them, Apostolos. Have no fear. I'll be right back."
Acheron nodded.
"To what do I owe this honour?" asked Stryker. Who was watching his Daimons eating a helpless human at his feet. No doubt kidnapped and then brought here for them to enjoy.
"I want them out of here." snarled Apollymi.
"You heard the goddess. Out." snapped Stryker like all Daimons he was blonde and beautiful. It helped them lure innocent humans and kill them, their camouflage against the evil inside of them.
The Daimons obeyed immediately, taking the human with them. Apollymi felt badly for the person they'd killed, but it was the state of nature that one life form invariably fed on another. While it wasn't fair the human had been prematurely killed, the Daimons had it even worse. They were cursed to watch themselves and everyone they love decay over a twenty- four hour period because eleven thousand years ago a god had been angry over the actions of only a dozen Apollites. No life wasn't a balance sheet of fairness. It was survival of the fittest, smartest and swiftest. And right now that was her.
"Where is he?" she snarled furious at Stryker. Her eyes were narrowed in anger daring him to lie to her or deny it.
"He would be?" asked Stryker blankly he had no idea what Apollymi was speaking about. He'd been here for the past few days, he'd not ventured up.
"Harry Potter. Your demons took him out of Sanctuary in New Orleans. Where are they holding him?" she said with deceptive calmness. If anything she was scarier calm than angry.
"What do you mean my demons took him?" asked Stryker he didn't even know who Harry Potter was.
"The Sumerian gallus you welcomed here. Surely, not even you can miss their stench. They violated the Chthonian laws of Sanctuary and they took him hostage to hold against Apostolos. Don't you dare feign ignorance about this." she told him, only Stryker commanded them she wasn't a stupid woman.
"I'm not feigning anything." he said angrily, "Kessar!"
The demon appeared before him, Tall and lean with brown hair and red eyes, he looked more like a fashion model than a demon and he used those good looks to his advantage whenever he sought humans to eat.
"I want to know about this man you've taken hostage. How dare you move into the human realm without my knowledge?" Stryker said furiously, the demon would be dead by now if not for his protection.
Kesser shrugged. "We did what your sister asked us to do. I assumed she had your ear. If you have issue with what's happened, perhaps you should have a family meeting." his tone was sarcastic and biting, he left as soon as he'd given his speech.
"I hate that sonofabitch," cursed Stryker.
"Then why did you offer him refuge?" asked Apollymi.
"You have your demons to protect you. It's only fair I should have mine. We both know I no longer have your favour, Apollymi. Even though I killed my own son to make you happy. Even though I've spent million lifetimes serving you blindly. I'm a means to an end. Revenge against my father and I'm the chosen tool. Honestly I don't mind you using me so long as I thought of you as a mother. Bu you declared war on me and so here we are. Neither of us happy. Both of us alienated from our children." said Stryker laughing bitterly. "What a pair we make?"
"In spite of what you think, Stryker I did love you. Unfortunately I am the goddess of vengeance and you forgot that. The second you went after Apostolos to harm him, you drew the battle declaration not I. where my son is concerned, I have no reason or loyalty to anyone above him. He is what I cherish most and he and his daughter and grandchild are the only things in this world I would die to protect. Now you hold what is sacred to him. Release him immediately, or not even your demons will be able to save you from me." said Apollymi seriously.
Strykers eyes flared, he knew Apollymi meant business she would kill him. "SATARA!" yelled Stryker.
"Don't take that tone with me," she said appearing out of nowhere looking offended.
"Where is Harry?" asked Apollymi with a fierce glare on her face.
"Safe for the moment," shrugged Satara, not even fearing the goddess of destruction in front of her.
"Release him," snapped Apollymi it wasn't a request it was a demand.
"No," said Satara immediately and defiantly.
"I'm not into games, release him or I'm going to kill you." said Apollymi, her arm extended choking Satara nobody spoke to her like that and got away with it. Satara choked in her arms, she tried to pull away but it was no use. Apollymi was very strong and nobody could out power her. But she did manage to choke out "If you kill me he dies too."
"Don't Apollymi, she's telling the truth, she's got the Atlantean cuff on." said Stryker quickly.
"I want Harry freed," said Apollymi cursing and throwing the girl at Stryker. She wanted to kill her even more, the smugness almost made her do something stupid. Like kill the woman.
"When I have the journal she will be freed." said Satara. "Jaden will broker the deal. So he won't just use his powers against me."
Apollymi smirked Satara was still scared of her son, she had every right to be. She had one given birth to one of the most powerful gods in the world. He was a force to be reckoned with and she loved it, she was proud of him, even if he didn't free her. "I understand the need for family, but if I were you, I'd let that one go before she drags you down to a depth so low you drown in it." she said before she too disappeared.
She hated giving her son bad news. "There's nothing I can do M'gios. They've gone to Jaden who will contact you with the terms to get her back."
"Matera!" yelled Acheron impotent fury consuming him, he hated feeling useless.
"They have the bracelets on Harry. If I try anything, Satara will kill him." said Apollymi angry at that. As soon as the bracelet was removed, Satara would find out just how wrong Satara had been to start on her son.
"What do they want?" asked Acheron warily.
"Ryssa's journal." said Apollymi.
Acheron's stomach dropped he simply nodded not even able to speak. He knew what one they wanted. Satara wanted the journal that contained how to kill Artemis and Apollo. Under normal circumstances he'd allow it, he hated Artemis but it would end the world. If Artemis died, he would die thus freeing his mother who would kill Apollo. In her anger she'd probably destroy the rest of the world along with it. Yes that would be fun, not. Damn it maybe it had been a premature move to be so happy that Harry had destroyed the journal…he had nothing to barter with. There had to be a way out of this, he was a god not some worthless pawn!
He was just about to call Jaden, the demon broker, and a friend whom he played video games with every Saturday. He didn't need to; Jaden appeared before him look as sick as Acheron felt.
"Is Harry alright?" asked Acheron immediately.
"He's still unconscious." said Jaden.
"I don't have the journal they want." said Ash.
"This is a problem. Can you get it?" asked Jaden.
"No, it was burnt." said Ash looking sick.
"So what are you going to do?" asked Jaden.
"Can you buy me some time?" asked Ash.
Jaden shifted uncomfortably, he'd do almost anything for Ash, "Demons aren't exactly patient. They really want that journal; they think it will free them."
"Free them from what?" asked Ash confused.
"Being servants, living underground. You're dealing with the Sumerian Gallu demons…you know morons." said Jaden.
Ash snorted, "They were smart enough to get Harry out of Sanctuary without getting caught."
"I'll do my damnedest to buy you some time with the demons. You need to come up with a miracle quickly." said Jaden; he really didn't want to screw over one of his only friends.
"Thank you. I know you don't have to do what you're doing for me and I just want to let you know how much I appreciate it." said Acheron.
"It's okay. I'm sure one day I'm going to need help bending some rules backwards. And when I ask for your help I don't want to hear any shit from you." said Jaden.
"Anytime, agriato." said Ash, using Jaden's native tongue to call him brother. It wasn't a language Jaden heard often anymore. With that done Jaden faded out of sight once more.
Should he go back in time stop the journal being destroyed? He was so sick of bartering and selling himself to others. First his Uncle then Artemis and now Satara wanted him to barter for Harry's freedom. Why did it always come back to being bartered and sold? Damn it he wasn't a whore. For the first time in his life Acheron Parthenopaeus didn't feel like one. Thanks to a green eyed boy who'd changed his outlook on life. He'd known everything about Ash, the good bad and shameful. Yet he still chose to be with him that more than anything convinced Ash that he wasn't a whore.
Ash lifted his chin as a surge of power and pride washed over him. Washing away the pain inside of him that had lived there so long he'd forgotten almost anything else felt like. Taking a deep breath, he let out his true voice and spoke the words that now burned inside of him. Repeating what he'd told Harry just days ago, but with conviction he hadn't felt until the green eyed monster had made him see the light. See the truth. The truth that Artemis had hidden from him. There wasn't anything wrong with him or about him. Just because of what he had been, it didn't make him any less a man or god. Harry had done what his mother and Savitar had failed to do. "I am the god Apostolos. The Harbinger of Telikos. The Final Fate of all. Beloved son of Apollymi the Great Destroyer. My will makes that will of the universe. I am not your whore Artemis and I will never be your slave." he was through letting people use him, Artemis, Satara everyone. If Satara wanted a fight, she was getting one. It was one she'd loose, because Harry had given Acheron something no one else had. Just by a simple act of kindness. He'd given him his self-worth and a resolve he'd never known. Harry wouldn't love a piece of shit, he wouldn't love a whore. The way he looked at him, made him realize this. Harry hadn't given up when his war was at its bleakest, as he fought for his loves ones. Well he'd be damned if he gave up on Harry - not like Harry's friends had. No one was going to hurt Harry as long as he had a breath left in his body.
Ash summoned Simi off his body; she looked at her Akri "What's the matter Akri? You look very sad." the Simi didn't like to see Akri sad. She didn't know how to make Akri happy; he spent lots of time sad.
"I'm leaving you at Sanctuary while I do something," explained Acheron.
"What are you doing?" asked Simi, she didn't like her Akri leaving her. The bears didn't know a decent barbeque if it bit them on the bum.
"Humour me, Simikee. I'm going where you can't follow." said Acheron softly, using a name he hadn't used since she had been a baby demon. "Now stay put."
Acheron made his way down stairs; the bears were having a conversation of some sort. Somebody had probably made a pass at Aimee, and they were planning tomorrow's special. Human soup, nobody hit on Aimee if they wanted to live.
"I'm going to leave Simi here for a bit," Ash told Dev. "Will you guys watch her?" it was a rhetorical question so he was surprised when Dev responded with "We're going with you." the bears had obviously bonded with Harry in the short time he'd been there. He had a habit of doing that, making people like him effortlessly. Baffling them, stunning them and overwhelming them.
"What are you talking about?" asked Ash confused a scowl hiding it.
"We know what your planning," said Angel, "And we're going with you."
Acheron couldn't have been more stunned. Then he saw Valerius (Ex-Dark Hunter), Talon (Ex-Dark-Hunter), Kyrian(Ex-Dark-Hunter), Julian(Demi-god), Zarek(god Ex-Dark Hunter), Sin (son in law and god), Vane (wolf Were-Hunter), Kyl, Katra (his daughter), Fang (wolf Were-Hunter), Tabitha (Amanda's sister and a good friend, and Valerius' wife) and Fury (Wolf Were-Hunter) Wren (Tigard Were-Hunter) walking in all he could go was hold his jaw in place to stop it landing on the floor. What were they doing here? "What is going on?" he asked them.
"There's not one of us here that you haven't put your ass on the line for- most of us more than once. Alexion told us what happened with Harry and we're here to watch your back no matter what you have planned." said Kyrian drolly. Kyrian was Marissa's father, and he'd named Ash her godfather.
Talon nodded in agreement. "Wulf is on his way, too. He'll be here as soon as the plane lands and Otto can speed him over. And Otto plans to stand with us too."
"Tabitha won't be fighting. She'll be going home very shortly, but she wanted to let you know she's here in spirit." said Valerius, Tabitha was pregnant and Valerius was very protective of her and their child.
"But for the baby, I'd be busting balls for you Ash. You know that." said Tabitha scowling. She had been fighting Daimons since she was thirteen years old. She had powers of her own, ones that Daimons were drawn to. She had no choice but learn to fight. Most of the humans believed her insane but that didn't stop her protecting them.
"I know Tabby." said Acheron still trying to come to terms with everyone being there.
"The other Dark-Hunters wanted to be here," said Talon. "But since the sun hasn't quite set yet, they couldn't. However, once the blazing ball goes down, they're here if we need them."
Ash was amazed by their willingness to bleed for him. It touched him on a level he hadn't realized existed until Harry had come along. It was why he'd wanted to keep his past a secret so much. Would they have been this willing to stand by him if they knew the truth? Or would they be like everyone else and step on him? But even so…this meant everything to him.
"I don't want you in this fight." Acheron told his daughter.
"Dad," she growled at him.
"No arguments," he said, cutting her off. "If Simi stays out of this fight, so do you."
Sin gave a low, evil laugh. "I'm so glad he's your father. And that for once we see eye to eye."
"You are out of y bedroom tonight. And you…" she turned to Ash. "Just irritate me. If anything goes wrong and you need me, you better call. Otherwise you're all in the dog house." she turned back to Sin, her husband "And you are in it regardless.
"This still doesn't mean I like you, Acheron. But I owe you for my wife and son. I would lay my life down for yours because without you, I wouldn't have shit and I know it." said Zarek. This was probably the closest thing to a declaration of love the man could muster and it honestly touched Ash deeply.
"I wasn't expecting any of you to stand with me. We're not just fighting the Daimons in this. We're fighting Demons too." said Acheron still overwhelmed by their support.
"I live to tear demons apart. Bring the bastards on." said Sin with a bloodthirsty grin on his face.
"Agreed." said Zarek, "Bring on the rain. The one thing I learned from Astrid is that life isn't about finding shelter in a storm. It's about learning to dance in the rain. I don't care what I kill as long as I get bloody while doing it." if Sin's bloodthirsty grin was scary well Zarek's was down right terrifying.
"We're here for you T-Rex. Just like you've always been here for us." said Talon smiling.
And to think Ash had always thought himself alone. While he'd trained the Dark-Hunters and had fought with the Were-Hunters to help them, he'd never expected them to return the favour. "Thanks, guys. I'm not used to people standing at my back." they'd always handed him over to his enemies or screwed him hard. It felt good to know he wasn't alone. "I know you all have families who love you so if you want to leave-"
Vane scoffed, "We wouldn't e here if we didn't want to. You and Val fought to save my sister when no one else would have bothered. I haven't forgotten it."
"And I haven't forgotten what the Dark-Hunters did for me and Maggie." said Wren sternly.
"Yeah, we're family. Psychotic, bizarre and a hodgepodge of personalities that should probably never be blended, but here we are. Now let's go kick some ass." said Fury.
I just love this bit! after reading so much heartach it was heartning to hear people stick up for him...so will harry free himself and not need anyone to rescue him? will harry realize who Styxx is and immediately use a nasty spell on him? I'm pretty sure Styxx had him gelded or rather what we call the snip now :P he had been with artemis and refused to tell the others so he was gelded for a crime he didnt commit and artie just let it happen only reparing the damage after it had happened. would you like to see revenge on styxx for that? a nifty spell from harry to make him feel what Ash had gone through that day? that is what happened right? urgh i so need to read the first part again *shudders* once was enough i must be mad thinking about it...damn i should have written everything down that could have been important to what revenge Harry doles out Apollo Artemis and Styxx will all get heck hemed now im giving away my plot! bad blabbermouth! lol R&R PLEASE!