Chapter 26: The Prelude of Battle
Diana proceeded to shut the door quickly after her and Lincoln's discovery of Artemis and John's mating ritual. They both walked back to the living room to see Alexa looking at them. They sat down with shocked looks and stared at the fire until Alexa spoke up.
"You two walked in on Artemis and John didn't you?"
Diana and Lincoln looked at Alexa. Neither one of them said a word but the expression on both of their faces gave her the answer.
"I noticed her and John walking in that room an hour ago. I was hoping you chose the room next to theirs but It is too late now." Commented Alexa.
The mood that was set for Diana and Lincoln was ruined by their recent discovery. The duo decided to sleep next to one another on the couch across the fire raging in the fireplace, with Alexa laying on the couch adjacent to them. Lincoln covered himself and Diana while sleeping horizontally across the sofa with Diana on top of him. They both have fallen asleep very quickly with Alexa falling into a slumber not too much long after. Morning rose and the ray of sunshine illuminated the home. Diana was the first to awoke and proceeded to wake up her lover. Soon the whole lake house's residents awoke. All of them hygiene and ate their initial breakfast slowly as if savoring their potential last meal. Diana and Lincoln were trying to avoid any eye contact with John and Artemis because of the incident last night and they were vice versa. John ordered everyone to get in his car to drive down to Chicago. Pop-pop told Lucy to stay behind. He had enough food to last her weeks. She wished to come with them to see the battle but Pop-pop did not want to see her hurt. They loaded up into the vehicle and proceeded to drive South towards the Windy City and after almost two hours of driving. They had reached Chicago. An order from the Governor came through that all civilians were to be inside their residence until the order expired. The streets were filled with soldiers from the army and equally armed troops from John's agency. By the time they reach the financial district, John can meet his commanders. It was late evening so Ares' army was to reveal itself soon. They exit the vehicle when their destination has been reached. The trunk opened by itself to reveal Lucy stowed away. The party freaked out that Lucy snuck away to see the battle. Lucy explained that she wanted to help no matter if they approved or not. They didn't have a choice at that point anymore and she was forced to come along. They knew she couldn't be left defenseless. Lucy was given a 9mm pistol by John with extra loaded magazines. Lincoln was equipped with only a dagger by John yet again armed the teenage adopted Amazon male. He too was given the same model pistol as Lucy along with a full tang Kukri machete. The agency did not typically carry swords but knowing Lincoln's adopted heritage and training in the amazon ways of combat suited him. John went to his commanders and informed them of the amazons. The commanders did not have the time to question them on why they are here but their questions were made reserved for a later time because they had a much larger issue to deal with. They all were preparing themselves for the battle and they were saying prayers and making last minute confessions to one another. The last minute confession of Pop-Pop was cut off by the loud siren that echoed through the city. It was the alarm that signaled Ares' army had arrived. Lake Michigan to the east was filled with boats full of monsters and men wearing armor and armed with small arms from the classical period of Greece. The prayers of the party ended and all made their stance and awaited for the Army of Ares to make their approach.