Chapter 160
Hiccups POV:
Morning came too early for me since I was comfortable with Blanca in my arms but sadly all good things must come to an end and this time it was the suns rays that brought an end to the good thing Blanca and I had in bed. The lights rays shone onto my eyes making me groan as I slowly opened my eyes with the first thing to greet my vision being Blanca's peaceful face. I smiled at the sight as her eyes opened for a moment before she closed them tighter and buried her head deeper into my chest groaning making me chuckle as she whispered.
"Please tell me it's not morning." I just chuckled and stroked her hair.
"I would but I could never lie to such an innocent face and besides that today Leonidas is going to tell us why he called us all to Sparta." She let out one final moan and got off me allowing me to get up and prepare for the day.
4 hours later
It's been four hours since I got up and in that time I've had breakfast, done my morning training sessions and spent some time with Blanca before I was called away with all the other leaders. Now I was sitting in a circular room with large white marble pillars holding up the room that had a mosaic of the symbol of the god Ares on it. Between each of the pillars just below the ceiling were open windows shining light into the room. Circling the entire room however was a large white marble table with white marble thrones around it that had the insignia of the various kingdoms engraved on the top. A single golden goblet rested in front of each throne and a large golden jug in front of the middle throne that had the insignia of Sparta on it. Now I was sitting on Leonidas's left on a throne with the insignia of a nightfury above me while Hippolyta was on his right representing the Amazons. I looked around the room seeing the only occupants present being leaders of the cities who were all waiting to hear Leonidas to begin this great meeting of leaders. It was then Leonidas stood up and I knew we were all about to find out why we were summoned here.
Nobodied POV:
Leonidas held out his arms before he announced.
"I WELCOME YOU ALL TO THIS MEETING OF LEADERS!" Everyone cheered. "NOW I KNOW THAT YOU ARE ALL CURIOUS AS TO WHY I SUMMONED YOU ALL HERE TO SPARTA FOR THIS MEETING AND IT IS HERE YOU SHALL FINALLY HEAR AS TO WHY!" Silence fell upon the room. "AS YOU ALL KNOW THERE WAS A TIME ALL OF GREECE WAS THREATENED BY THE TITAN CRONUS AND I AM SAD TO SAY SPARTA WAS THE FIRST OF THE CITIES TO FALL AND I WAS CAPTURED WHILE MY PEOPLE WERE ENSLAVED!" There were murmurs at this before Hippolyta said.
"WE ALL KNOW THE TALE LEONIDAS AS MY ISLAND WAS NEXT TO FALL TO CRONUS!" He nodded and gestured to me.
"AND IF IT WERE NOT FOR OUR ALLIE HICCUP HADDOCK OR AS SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW HIM HERACLES WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DEFEAT CRONUS AND AT THIS MOMENT WE'D ALL BE NOTHING MORE THAN MINDLESS SLAVES SERVING THAT MONSTER!" It was then one of the kings of a city I had yet to visit said.
"WE ALL KNOW THIS ALTHOUGH MANY OF US NEVER SAW THE BATTLE OR HOW CRONUS WAS DEFEATED WE HAVE HEARD FROM TRAVELLERS AND MERCHANTS WHAT HAPPENED!"
"THAT IS EXACTLY MY POINT!" Everyone turned to him confused. "IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE TRADERS AND MERCHANTS NONE OF YOU WOULD'VE KNOWN ABOUT THIS THREAT TO OUR COUNTRY AND IF IT WERE NOT FOR HICCUP WE ALL WOULD'VE FALLEN BECAUSE CRONUS NEVER LET ANYONE ESCAPE SO HIS FORCES WOULD'VE HAD THE ELEMENT OF SURPRISE!" There were murmurs of agreement at this. "SHOULD A THREAT SUCH AS CRONUS EVER RISE AGAIN ALL OF GREECE MUST STAND TOGETHER AGAINST IT AND AS SUCH WE MUST HAVE A LOCATION TO GATHER AND WAY TO CALL ALL KINGDOMS TO THIS LOCATION!" There were cries of agreement before everyone began talking about what they could do.
2 hours later
It's been two hours since the grand meeting began and in that time those in the grand conference room have done nothing but discuss various ideas on how they could alert the various kingdoms of possible threats and where to meet. The original plan for a meeting place was within a canyon but Hiccup shot that idea down when he explained that the forces would be sitting ducks for enemy archers and if they were outside the cliff then it was possible for enemies to push them into it with fall killing them. Hiccup was praised for his intelligence in seeing how the original meeting place would be a major disadvantage against enemy forces and received even more praise when he not only chose the perfect location for meeting but the perfect way to call forces together. The plan was to use large bon fires that are thirty-five miles away from each other as beacons in which no less than two guards would guard each beacon. These men would also light them when needed in which one beacon is lit and then the guards at the nearest beacon would see the flames and light up their own beacon which would then be seen by the next one in the line and it would be lit and so on an so forth. Now everyone was holding his or her goblet that were now filled with nectar all poured from the same jug with Leonidas held up his goblet and said.
"THE NECTAR WITHIN YOUR GOBLETS WAS POURED FROM THE SAME JUG AS A SYMBOL THAT ALTHOUGH WE MAY COME FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THESE LANDS WE ARE ALL THE CHILDREN OF GREECE!" Everyone cheered and raised their goblets. "NOW LET US DRINK TO OUR PLANS, OUR ALLIANCE AND TO THE FUTURE OF GREECE!" With that said everyone drank except for king Diomedes who simply put his goblet down smiling.
"And a toast to Leonidas who has given me one of the keys to having full control over all of Greece." Everyone looked at him confused until everyone except Hiccup grabbed their heads in pain as they grit their teeth. "You see all I spiked the nectar with a powerful potion created by my mystics which shall put you all to sleep and when you awaken you shall all be under my control." Hiccup immediately stood up.
"One problem with your plan Diomedes." Diomedes immediately turned to Hiccup and his eyes widened as everyones heads dropped to the table.
"HOW?" Hiccup walked away from his chair and towards Diomedes.
"I have an immunity to all forms of mind control giving me enough time to take you down." It was then all the leaders sat up but their eyes no longer held any emotion and looked as if they were made of glass making Diomedes smile and point at him as he ordered.
"Seize him slaves!" Leonidas lunged at me but I ducked beneath his grip and dived behind him pushing him forward onto my thrones rest while saying.
"Leonidas, snap out of it it's me Hiccup." Diomedes just chuckled.
"Don't even bother hero, everyone in this room is completely under my control."
Hippolyta then grabbed me from behind so I took hold of her arms and flipped her over my head and into Leonidas as he turned around to take me on again. With them handled I turned around and made a run for the door before slamming through it and breaking into a run down the hall to try and warn the people of what's happened. Sadly as I ran down the hall guards rushed in but sadly I recognized their uniforms as those who worked for Diomedes and with them on one side and the mind controlled victims behind me I knew I had no choice but to fight. Knowing this I released my crystal spear and unfolded my eagle shield preparing for a large fight but before I could even make a move Diomedes stepped forward chuckling as he said.
"Hiccup we both know you can't win here." I glared at him.
"I'm more than capable of taking you all down here and now."
"Oh, I have no doubt about that but are you willing to pay the price for it." I raised an eyebrow until he gestured to the leaders behind him. "If you fight me you'll be taking on the leaders of Greece, some of which are also your friends and with them under my control I can have them tell everyone that you attacked them for no reason and you shall be labeled as a criminal and enemy of Greece." I growled.
"I'll find a way to stop you." He smirked.
"I knew you'd say that so I planned for it." He took out a dagger and held it out to Leonidas who took it as Diomedes ordered. "If Hiccup resists slit your own throat." Hiccup gasped and glared at Diomedes who simply smirked at him. "If you fight back you'll kill your friend and the king of Sparta." Hiccup glared at him. "So what will it be Hiccup?" He gestured to Hiccup. "Will you surrender and come quietly or" He gestured to Leonidas who had the dagger to his throat. "will it be the life of a king and friend?" For a few intense seconds there was silence before Hiccup let out a growl and collapsed his crystal spear and pulled it into his prosthetic and folded up his shield making Diomedes smile at him. "I knew you'd see things my way." He then gestured to his men before two came forward holding a metal chest. "Now would you be so kind as to place your prosthetic and all your other weapons into the chest."
Hiccup hesitated but Leonidas pressing the blade closer to his throat ended his hesitation and he removed his shield followed by his prosthetic. He intended to keep his grootslang coat, third arm sash while concealing his spiderpack but Diomedes pointed them out to him and he was forced to remove them as well. Hiccup thought that giving up his coat would be the end of it but Diomedes had Hiccup strip down until he was down to nothing but his pants and only then did the guards drag him away. As he was dragged away Hiccup looked back at Diomedes who simply smiled at him as Hiccup swore he'd take Diomedes down once and for all but Diomedes just chuckled.
Four days later
Hiccups POV:
I was sitting in a cell in an underground dungeon silently meditating on the events of the last four days after Diomedes captured me and had me taken to the dungeon while he returned to the meeting room. Soon after I was thrown into the cell Blanca and Toothless were brought in who were told I was needed and asked to follow the guards. When they saw me the guards grabbed Blanca and pointed their weapons at Toothless and I could tell they were getting ready to fight but I yelled at them to stand down. I could tell they weren't happy about it but I knew if they did this chance are we'd end up against a full army and slaughtered. I explained this to them along with what's happened with once we were all in cells with Blanca in a cell across from me while Toothless was next to mine muzzled shut.
I learnt that Blanca and Toothless were told that I needed to see them by Diomedes guards and offered to take them to me. It was then they were lead into the dungeon after being told I was checking out a secret mine but after that they were captured and forced into the cells. I'm just glad Blanca didn't transform or they'd think her a demon and kill her and there was no possible way I could live with myself if I let that happen. Sadly they somehow learnt that she had some magic and placed a bracelet on her that prevents her from using it but also keeps her in her human form. I was sure they weren't aware she was a snake guardian though or that she could change forms since if they knew they'd more than likely have killed her.
To describe this dungeon it was literally a large cavern that was dug into the side of a mountain that had a spiral path against the wall leading down to the cavern the cell we were in. This cavern had an entrance that had a metal gate that would fall from the top of the entrance blocking off any escape through it. The cavern was a large circular with multiple cells imbedded in the walls with a few human sized cages hanging around and a burning fire bowls and in the center was chopping block for executions. Two days later four other people joined us in this dungeon when they realized something was wrong with their leaders. Before they could do anything however Diomedes had the leaders who were now mindless puppets had them labeled as criminals and had them arrested.
These prisoners were Autolycus of Sparta who was a soldier who helped out at a distance as a knife thrower and from what I'd heard he was a good one. Autolycus had brown hair that was cut short and a small beard with strong muscles and wore a dark leather chest plate that had a leather sash with metal flowers decorating it across his chest, a belt with metal discs sowed onto it, brown sleeveless cave that went over his shoulders, front and back that was held on by spiked leather shoulder pads and a leather skirt and sandals. There was also the king-turned-prophet Amphiaraus of Argos who I'd heard about since he fought in every battle claiming he knows it won't be his last and when I asked him about it he claimed he'd be killed by a flaming spear. He had grey hair that grew past his shoulders with a short beard while wearing a dark brownish red tunic that went down to his knees with a metal vest and belt. Amphiaraus had come to Sparta as an advisor to Argos new king and knew immediately something was wrong the moment he looked into his leaders eyes.
There's also the warrior Tydeus of Thebes who acted as his kings' personal guard but was feral and acted more like a guard dog but his loyalty to Thebes was unquestionable. His hair was blond with the sides shaved with a small beard both of which were unkempt but the look in his eyes was that of a feral predator. He wore metal armor mad up of square and rectangular plates over a yellow tunic that reached his knees and a wide metal color around his neck. (AN: If you're having trouble picturing these men look them up in 'Hercules 2014' since that's where I got them from.) Finally there's the Amazon archerXena who accompanied Hippolyta to this meeting as a bodyguard but knew something was wrong when she saw Diomedes feel up her queen with her queen not even flinching at his touch. She had long black hair that went down between her shoulder blades where it was braided while the upper part flowed free and brown eyes that looked as if they could pierce through some ones soul. She wore a leather body armor that wrapped around her torso and was held onto her body by wrapping around her neck with a red skirt that had leather strips over it that had bronze leaves at the end of each, a gap in the middle, elbow length leather arm bands, leather leg wrappings from her ankles to her knees.
We'd all spent the last two days talking and getting to know each other knowing that with us being the only ones knowing what Diomedes had done we were the last hope for Greece. I knew if I could take down Diomedes I'd be able to give the leaders a drink from the urn I got from the Arabian gods and they'd not only be free of the mind control but also never have to worry about being enslaved with mind control again. I also knew escaping this place would be easy since I could just call in Adal or Amr but I knew this would lead to chaos and I needed to think things threw and wait for the right moment to strike. It was then I was brought out of my thoughts by the dungeon door opening and turned to see none other than Diomedes himself walking in with Hippolyta on his right and two guards on either side making it a total of four guards. I glared at Diomedes as I walked up to my cell door and looked around at the cells as I said in a sarcastic tone.
"Well my friends, it looks like the mighty Diomedes has come to grace us with his presence." I turned to him. "So oh mighty king what brings you down here to speak with us." He smiled at me.
"I just decided to come down so I could tie up the last loose ends and then proceed to enjoy my full victory and I decided you should know what the goal of my plans is."
"You want to rule all of Greece through the leaders." He chuckled.
"You think too small foreigner." I raised an eyebrow. "Do you know how many allies the leader I've taken command of have?" He smiled. "One by one the leaders will fall under my control and with them so shall their forces and their riches which shall all belong to me." I glared at him hearing this. "And when I'm done taking control of the allies I'll have my forces lead an attack on the foreign lands taking over them until I alone rule over this world as the new god." I felt my heart clench in worry for my allies across the globe as he wrapped an arm around Hippolyta's waist. "And at my side through it all will be Hippolyta as my loyal and obedient queen." Hearing this I felt my blood boil since Hippolyta is a dear friend of mine.
"So keeping us locked up here isn't enough, you've come to torture us with your bragging." He glared at me before smiling.
"No, I also came to thank you for making this all possible." I raised an eyebrow.
"Excuse me?"
"You see, after you stole my mares I lost the respect of a lot of my men and many left me and my power over the people dwindled but I desired to reclaim my power and more so I began planning and had my mystics begin studying dark magic."
"Isn't being locked in this cell punishment enough?" He raised an eyebrow. "You have to make us suffer with your backstory?"
"Don't worry for your suffering shall end soon for I have come to end it but I'll start with that beast and wife of yours." He turned to his guards. "Get that whore he calls a wife onto the chopping block." I saw Blanca back up in her cell as the guards walked up to it as I began shaking my cell door.
"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH MY WIFE!" Diomedes just chuckled as the cell door was opened and Blanca was forced out.
"Don't even bother Hiccup, without your precious gifts from the gods you are nothing and as soon as your wife's blood stains the floor your beast will follow along with your friends in the cells." I shook my door harder.
"NO!" It was then Amphiaraus said.
"Don't listen to him Hiccup!" I looked up at him. "Those gifts were given to help you in battles but they do not make you the hero of the people that you truly are." Blanca was brought over to the chopping block making me shake the door harder. "The gods chose to give you those gifts for what you did without them and because you are worthy of serving the gods by fighting the beasts they themselves cannot interfere in." The executioner got his axe as I began slamming my shoulder into the cell door. "SO TELL US HICCUP HADDOCK, WHAT ARE YOU?" I felt my blood pumping through my veins as his words echoed through my head before I backed up a few feet from the cell door and then charged at the door full speed while the executioner raised his axe as I yelled out.
"I AM A CHAMPION!"
I slammed my shoulder into the cell door once more but this time the cell door came off its hinges and went slamming to the ground with a large clanging sound that echoed through the dungeon. I didn't stop my charge however and slammed right into the side of the executioner carrying him into the wall and slammed him into it as hard as I could. He went down like a rock while I grabbed the keys to the cells off him before I turned to face Diomedes who stared at me in shock as Blanca stood back up smiling at me. I tossed her the keys to the cells and she knew that I wanted her to free the other prisoners while I dealt with the guards to which she nodded and ran to Xena's cell. While she did that I focused on Diomedes who was backing up towards the dungeons entrance with Hippolyta at his side as he yelled out.
"GET HIM YOU FOOLS!" The four guards charged at me swords in hand but I smiled knowing things were about to get interesting.
Nobodies POV:
The first guard charged at Hiccup who readied his one arm with his hand in a gripping form using three fingers like it normally was when he took his dragon style kung fu form. The guard lunged at Hiccup with his sword in his right hand but Hiccup stepped to the side and grabbed his wrist before twisting it and pulling it behind the guards back as the guard dropped the sword. Hiccup shoved the guard forward into another guard who was charging at him stopping him in his tracks to catch his friend. Hiccup quickly rushed up to them before they could recover and dropped to the ground sweeping his leg from behind the guard who had the first guard shoved at him. They both fell down with the first guard who attacked Hiccup landing on top of the other but before either could get up Hiccup slammed his foot down on the top guards head slamming it into the other guards head knocking them both out.
One of the remaining two guards with a spear charged at him from behind and pulled him into his body trying to strangle him with the pole of his spear. While the one guard held him still the other remaining guard charged at him with his spear ready to skewer Hiccup but Hiccup relaxed his muscles loosening the hold the guard had him. This allowed him to drop to the ground and deliver a hard strike between the legs of the guard who was originally restraining him making him drop his spear as he fell to the ground screaming in pain while gripping the part that Hiccup hit. Hiccup quickly picked up the spear and stood back up while swinging the pole at the spear of the charging guard knocking it to the side before Hiccup slammed the spears bottom into the guards' stomach. The guard let out a groan as he dropped his spear and kneeled down before Hiccup swung the pole of the spear into his head knocking him out.
Hiccup smiled at the downed guard as the last one he took down getting up behind him with a dagger but before he could try anything he was tackled from the side as his attacker let out what sounded like the growls of a feral animal. Hiccup turned to see Tydeus who was slamming the guard into the ground hard while growling and roaring like a vicious animal. Hiccup knew if he didn't stop Tydeus now he might end up killing the man so he pulled Tydeus off the guard who was now unconscious as he said.
"Save that energy man, we're going to need it if we're going to get out of here and stop Diomedes." He just growled and nodded as I turned to the other prisoners. "Grab the guards weapons and let's get out of here." They all nodded and began grabbing the weapons with Autolycus and Tydeus getting the swords while Amphiaraus and Xena took the spears as I turned to Blanca who was taking the muzzle off Toothless. "Toothless look after Blanca." He growled and nodded as Blanca said.
"Hiccup I can take care of myself."
"Not with that bracelet blocking your magic and besides," He gently caressed her face. "The last thing I want to see is anyone scarring that pretty face of yours." She smiled at me and took my hand in hers.
"Alright but I'm still coming with you as you'll need all the help you can get." Hiccup nodded before he pointed at the door to the dungeon. "Toothless, plasma blast." He growled and let it out destroying the door as Autolycus asked.
"What's the plan?"
"We get out of here, find my prosthetic and gear allowing me to summon reinforcements and we take down Diomedes once and for all."
"That's crazy." Amphiaraus replied.
"If you think that's crazy, I'm going to be killed by a flaming spear tonight."
They all just stared at him before they shrugged and ran out the door ready to take on any form of foe they would run into on the way. The second they walked out of the dungeon they saw three guards rushing down the spiral path swords drawn ready to kill them. Hiccup ran at them ducking under the sword that was swung at his head and grabbed the wrist of the guard holding the sword before quickly swinging the guard around him and into the other charging guard slamming them both into the wall. As they fell to the ground Hiccup made his way up the path leading the others another guard charged at him but Hiccup just grabbed his head and slammed him into the wall knocking him out cold before continuing up the path. Another guard charged at them but Amphiaraus ran past me with his spear in hand and swung it into the guard knocking him over the edge sending him falling to the hard ground below. Amphiaraus turned to face a soldier who was higher up on the path across from them as the guard threw a spear with a rope wrapped around the top beneath the head. The spear flew at him passing through a torches burning flame igniting the rope as Amphiaraus took a breath and said.
"It is my time." Amphiaraus held out his hands accepting his fate but as the spear nearly reached him Hiccup grabbed the spear pole stopping it midflight and pulled it to him as Amphiaraus turned to him. "Excuse me, that was my fate, my destiny." Hiccup just shrugged.
"You're welcome." He then began walking up. "Now come on, your king and country need you so come on."
He grumbled and nodded before they continued up as another guard charged at him but Hiccup flipped the spear around and slammed the bottom of the pole into the gut of the charging guard who gasped as the breath was knocked out of him. Hiccup then swung him to the side throwing him over the edge taking him out of the battle for good as a large group charged at him. Hiccup just growled as everyone got ready for the fight but Hiccup ran at the one in front of the group and tackled him in the gut picking him up and using him as a battering ram against the coming forces. The coming guards were forced back with those who didn't were forced over the edge or into the wall in which those who weren't knocked unconscious were dazed and easily dealt with.
When they reached the end Hiccup dropped the guard and led everyone out seeing a guard who was more decorated showing him to be the captain of the guard with six archers at his sides. Before they could fire however Toothless jumped in front of Hiccup and let out a plasma blast at their feet throwing them all back making him smile at Toothless. He then ran over to the captain of the guard and grabbed him by the neck of his armor and asked.
"Where's Diomedes and where's my stuff?" He just glared at Hiccup making him growl. "You can either answer to me or" He pointed at Toothless who ran up next to them growling. "you can answer Toothless and he prefers to let out a plasma blast to the face before asking." He gulped.
"I don't know where they put your belongings but king Diomedes made his way outside with his future queen Hippolyta." Xena growled and said.
"Hippolyta will be his queen over my dead body." Hiccup turned to her.
"Don't let your anger control you Xena as that leads to mistakes and in this case a mistake could cost you your life." She glared at him.
"Don't you dare give me advice on how to fight male as I am one of my peoples most revered warriors." Before he could reply Autolycus cut in by saying.
"We can go over this later as for now we need to stop Diomedes."
They both nodded and ran towards the exit taking down any guard they ran into until they burst outside only to be greeted by an entire army of armed soldiers wearing different suits of armor that showed they were from all over Greece. Diomedes stood at the front with Hippolyta and Leonidas on his left and right along with the other leaders. Diomedes smirked at him as Hiccup looked around and realized they were standing at the top of a stairs platform with more stairs leading up to a giant statue of the goddess Hera. On the sides of these stairs were large platforms holding giant burning torch bowls made of stone and across from them was a group of fifteen archers with arrows loaded and ready to fire at a moments notice. Diomedes raised his hand and two of his men brought forth a large locked chest, which held not only Hiccups prosthetic arm but all his equipment. Diomedes stepped forward smiling as he announced.
"THIS CAN ALL END NOW HICCUP HADDOCK!" Hiccup raised an eyebrow. "IF YOU SURRENDER NOW I SHALL RETURN YOUR BELONGINGS TO YOU AND ALLOW YOU TO LEAVE ROAM AS LONG AS YOU GIVE ME YOUR WORD NEVER TO RETURN WHILE YOUR FRIENDS SHALL BE QUICKLY EXECUTED!" Hiccup clenched his fists in anger. "THIS IS A GENEROUS OFFER FOR A MAN LIKE YOU WHO MANY IN GREECE LOOKED UP TO ONLY FOR HIM TO THEN TRY TO POISON THE KINGS AND QUEENS OF GREECE!" Hiccup growled. "EVERYONE KNOWS OF YOUR PLAN TO ASSASSINATE THE LEADERS SO YOU COULD PLUNGE OUR LANDS INTO CHAOS SO YOU AND YOUR FORCES CAN SLIP IN AMONGST THE CHAOS AND ENSLAVE OUR PEOPLE!" This was the last straw.
"SHUT IT YOU FILTHY LIAR!" He turned to the army. "HE'S THE ONE WHO POISONED YOUR LEADERS USING A POTION THAT ENSLAVED THEIR MINDS TURNING THEM INTO HIS PUPPETS!" Hiccup pointed at the leaders. "AT LEAST SOME OF YOU MUST HAVE NOTICED YOUR LEADERS STRANGE BEHAVIOR AND REALIZE SOMETHING'S WRONG!" He smiled, as there were murmurs among the army with members who agreed that their leaders have been acting odd. "HE INTENDED TO TAKE CONTROL OF GREECE THROUGH ITS LEADERS AND THEN DO THE SAME TO THE REST OF THE WORLD UNTIL ALL BOW TO HIM!" Diomedes having enough and worrying the army would realize what Hiccup was saying was true and turned to the army.
"DON'T LISTEN TO HIM, HE'S TRYING TO TURN YOU AGAINST ME!" He turned to the archers aiming at them. "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?" He pointed at Hiccup and his group. "KILL THEM!"
The archers released their arrows making everyone dive to the side behind pillars to avoid the arrows before Toothless jumped back out and let out a plasma blast throwing the archers back. This gave them the opportunity to run up the stairs to try and evade the approaching army but the archers recovered and began shooting at them again but they avoided their shots. One arrow however flew straight towards Blanca and almost struck her in the back but Hiccup seeing this arrow shielded her using his own body. The arrow pierced the front of his shoulder making him clench his teeth in pain but he ignored the pain and kept running up the stairs until they reached the top where the statue was. Blanca gasped when she saw the arrow in her husbands shoulder but he just brushed off her worry and snapped the wooden pole of the arrow off before pulling it out of his shoulder. He ripped off a piece of his pants and gave it to Blanca who used it to stop the bleeding until Hiccup noticed Diomedes forces approaching so he yelled out to his allies.
"PUSH THE TORCHES OVER, IT'LL BUY US SOME TIME!"
They all nodded and began using their weapons to push over the large stone torch bowls on either side of the staircases with Hiccup using his bare hand since thanks to his immunity to heat it didn't hurt. The coming troops continued marching up with their shields at the ready in front of them forming a shield wall preventing any projectiles from harming them until the torch fell over followed shortly after by the other one. The oils and coals that ignited the flames and torches poured onto the steps like the water released from a dam that had just been opened, the flames fell down onto the stairs completely cutting off the coming forces. With the coming forces stalled Hiccup turned to the others as Xena said.
"We've brought ourselves some time but what can we do now?"Amphiaraus looked past the flames where Diomedes was ordering his men to continue the march.
"We need to take out Diomedes and we shall be able to free the kings and queens as the soldiers will realize we were telling the truth as they won't do anything." Hiccup looked around before his eyes landed on the platform that held the statue of Hera and saw it was multiple life-sized statues of men holding it up and said.
"The statue of Hera." They all turned to face Hiccup. "If we can bring it down we'll be able to make the head at least roll down and scatter their forces giving us a small window of opportunity to take Diomedes out." Xena glared at him.
"I would never destroy a monument to the great Goddess Hera especially if it is ordered by a male who has everything he wants just handed to him!" Hearing this his blood boiled. "You only seek to reclaim those precious gifts from the gods in that chest which you have no right to as you have done nothing to earn them." This made him angry to the point he gave her a glare that looked as if it could pierce ones very soul before he marched up to her and much to everyone's shock slapped her.
"Don't you ever claim me to be a man who has everything he wants just handed to him or just want to reclaim what's rightfully mine!" She stared at him in shock. "Everything I have, I worked for by continuously taking on challenge after challenge many of which were at the risk of my own life." He clenched his fists. "I've taken on beasts and horrors that you couldn't even imagine and never for the reward but because those abominations were threatening the weak and innocent." He then pointed through the flames and at the chest, which hadn't moved from its original spot. "I don't give a yaks ass about what's in that chest except for the key to my wife's shackles to free her before she gets hurt." He then turned back to the flames. "And the pot I got from the Arabian gods which gifts any who drink from it with an immunity to mind control so we can free the kings and queens of Greece, some of which are friends of mine including your leader Hippolyta." It was then the flames began to die down and the enemy troops began advancing through the dying flames bringing Hiccups attention back to them before he turned back to Xena. "Now either help me take that statue down or stay out of my damn way!"
Hiccup then ran to the back of the statue as Xena stared at him with an unrecognizable look in her eyes but one thing was sure and that look was not one of anger or hatred. Hiccup reached the back of the platform and began pushing the platform up trying to flip it over while gritting his teeth in pain from his wound but soon the other men, Blanca and Toothless following his lead. Soon enough Xena joined them in pushing the platform up as Diomedes helped lead his men up the steps leading them as he yelled.
"YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE TO SURRENDER AND SPAT ON MY GENEROUS OFFER HICCUP, YOU AND YOUR ALLIES DESERVE TO DIE AND I SHALL HAVE THAT WRETCHED WIFE OF YOURS TURNED INTO A TOY FOR MY MEN WHILE YOUR PET LIZARD WILL MAKE AN EXCELLENT NEW CAPE AND BOOTS FOR ME!"
These were the words that sent Hiccups adrenaline to new heights and gave him the strength to give out that last push that sent the statue down. The body shattered on impact kicking up a huge dust cloud as the men began retreating in fear of being crushed by any of the larger chunks of debris. Diomedes was not happy about this and turned around to face his army as he yelled out.
"GET BACK THERE AND KILL THEM!"
He was furious with his men for retreating and it was his rage that stopped him from realizing the head of the statue had been rolling and bouncing downs the steps. When he turned around again the last thing he ever saw was the head of Hera coming down on him from above and that was the end of the monster known as king Diomedes. For a few tense seconds there was silence as Hiccup walked out from the dust cloud at the top of the stairs with Blanca on his left and Toothless on his right before the others walked out on either side. For a few moments Diomedes forces just looked up at them in awe not knowing what to do until one man stepped forward and threw his weapons down, removed his helmet and kneeled. The entire front row followed before the entire army of mixed soldiers all began cheering and chanting.
"HICCUP, HICCUP, HICCUP"
Hiccup and his allies just stood there but as they did Hiccup knew that this wasn't the end of things since there was now a lot of repairs to be made around the city and a lot of choices to be made but for now they just enjoyed their victory.
AN: And that brings an end to this chapter but not an end to Greece yet as there is still a bit coming but Hiccup will be dealing with that in the next chapter. For now though please remember to review and I hope you all have a merry Christmas and new year. Also for those of you who are wondering why Hiccup didn't just summon Adal or Amr the reason is he didn't want any of the forces from the other kingdoms getting caught in the crossfire. As for why he didn't summon his ninja, he thought he'd have more time to plan but Diomedes made him need to act sooner rather than later. For those of you who keep wanting Adal and Cerberus together don't worry as they shall be together in the next chapter when Hiccup finally visits the underworld so until then be patient and have a nice day.
