Themyscira - Plains Outside The Main Gate - Five Minutes Later
"Alright, that was two out of three. I'm guessing our next challenger will either be a hydra or a pack of chimera." Phoebe posited, as she completed her scan of Grim's suit.
"Hmm." Grim responded dryly as he awaited the arrival of the next challenger. He was starting to feel impatient. Already, he and Phoebe had lost a day to this little bout. A day they could have used repairing their ship. Or, at the very least, getting communications back online. So they could determine if the rest of this world was like this, or if this was just the outlier.
He rolled his shoulders and neck. Keeping the joints loose and ready, while also lessening some of the tension he was feeling. Below him, he had the last two of the minotaurs' axes ready and his knives had already been cleaned and checked. Which made this delay feel off. As he and his weapons were ready for the next challenger.
Suddenly, to his right, the gate started to swing open. Its metal hinges groaning and gears churning loudly. As the two doors parted outwards. From within, a young woman dressed in a short, white robe and golden belt started to make her way towards him. Her red hair shined in the mid-afternoon sun and in her outstretched palms rested a red pillow.
Grim turned towards the woman and waited as she slowly marched towards him. Her sandals rustling the grass below her as she walked. Meanwhile, the entire wall was silent and all eyes were on the two of them. Eventually, she came to a stop about seven feet away from Grim.
"Our lady has decreed, that for this final fight, you shall be permitted use of one of your weapons." The woman spoke. Sounding regal.
Grim gave the young woman a mute nod before he stepped forward a step. On the pillow, his tactical magnum sat. Looking completely untouched. Grim reached out and took the pistol slowly. Before he conducted a quick examination. Rotating it to its left and right.
Satisfied, he pulled a clip from one of the pouches on his chest and slid it into the pistol. Before racking the slide with a click. An image of the pistol appeared on the upper right hand side of his HUD along with his current round count of one hundred and twenty.
It was only after he had holstered the weapon on his side that he noticed the red haired Amazon had yet to leave. Instead, she seemed to be staring quizzically at both him and the weapon in question. He tilted his head slightly and the woman flinched as she met his gaze.
"May….. May I ask what type of weapon that is?" She asked hesitantly.
"M6H2 Magnum. Modified for stealth engagements." Grim rattled off easily.
The woman looked a bit off to her right and chewed her lip. As if fighting against asking her next question. But then steeled herself once more.
"And what was that you just put in it?"
"A magazine holding twelve 12.7x40mm anti-armor and Hi-Ex rounds."
"Hi-Ex?"
"High explosive." Grim answered, watching the woman's eyes widen in shock.
"By the gods." The woman whispered before seemingly realizing she was still standing in the middle of the field. She gave Grim a quick nod and bow, before turning and rushing back towards the gate. Her pace, slightly faster than it had been when she had been making her way towards him.
Grim turned back towards the gatehouse and looked up at Athena. Who seemed to be waiting for the gates to close behind the Amazon.
"So, I reran my numbers." Phoebe started.
"Congratulations." Grim deadpanned. Earning him a huff of frustration from the AI.
"Would you just!...I swear, it's like you want me to go rampant early." She huffed. "Anyways, Athena giving you back your pistol means that whatever she has next, she believes will kill you."
"Hmm."
"So, I believe we're probably looking at two chimeras and a hydra." Phoebe finished.
Seemingly having heard Phoebe, the field across from them began to glow gold again. But this time, it wasn't a small portal or rings of light. It looked as if the entire field had been covered by the magic. As a group of figures began to rise from within the grounds.
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"Spartoi?" Ares snarled as he leaned forward in his chair.
"Yes." Athena answered, trying and failing to keep a smirk off her face.
Before them, three hundred Spartoi warriors stood. With swords, shields, and bows all clutched in their grips. Their skin was a light gray, hidden under the bronze of their armor. Each of them had a red crest atop their helmets. Matching the red glow of their eyes underneath and the cloak shrouding their shoulders.. A few stood a part from the others, wearing more ornamental armor. With intricate patterns and designs hammered into the armor.
"Where did you find them?" Ares questioned. Sounding genuinely surprised for the first time all day.
"Circe." Athena answered lazily. Causing Ares' head to snap to her.
"That witch had three hundred of the old gods' minions trapped on that little island of hers?" He asked incredulously.
"No. I believe she had them trapped in one of her necklaces." Athena answered, sounding unbothered. "Poetic that your Spartan will die to his lineage's founders. Don't you think?"
"The Spartoi are mindless fanatics that the old gods manipulated to serve their twisted desires. Don't you dare besmirch Sparta and its achievements by implying they sought to honor such depravities!" Ares growled, a warning in his voice.
"And yet they called themselves Spartans." Athena pointed out with a raised eyebrow.
"They did." Ares agreed. "And when the gods and your Amazons were called upon to fight, they marched willingly alongside you…. Don't forget that as well, sister." He finished with another growl.
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"I don't think we have enough bullets." Phoebe thought aloud as Grim eyed the shield wall across from him.
It was stacked two high, with long spears pointing out from within the gaps. From behind it, he could hear the stomping of men as they raced back and forth. Most likely assuming their assigned position within the wall. All of them were chattering in some strange and unknown language.
"No, we don't." Grim answered Phoebe.
"So then, what's the plan?" Phoebe asked.
Grim crouched and grabbed the two axes. His gaze never wavering from the shield wall across from him.
"Mark probable leaders based off armor design and historical references. Then, be ready to switch all available power to my shields, after I disengage cloak. After that, let me work." Grim ordered.
"Got it! Marking high priority targets now and their probable positions. Reducing motion sensor range to five meters and I'm prepared to over-clock your shields." Phoebe rattled off.
Grim didn't say or give any indication that he had heard her. Instead, he began to charge. Allowing his feet to smash against the ground and kick up dirt behind him as he ran. At about the halfway point, he launched his two axes forward in an arc. In a blur, the blades sailed over the shield wall and dug themselves into the earth behind the line. Causing a few of the Spartoi to rattle something off in their language.
In response, what could only be described as a cloud of arrows sailed back over the wall. Temporarily blocking out the sun, before arching back towards the ground below.
"Incoming!" Phoebe hissed.
Grim grunted in response as he raced forward. The first wave of the arrows landed harmlessly behind him. But the second and third must have tried to account for his speed, as their shots began to slam into the earth all around Grim as he ran. A few of the arrows had actually managed to hit him, but his shields easily deflected them. Not even draining as they flared.
As he approached the wall, he heard multiple men begin to shout down the line. Their gibberish was almost drowned out by the shifting of shields, men, and armor, readying themselves for the impact of Grim's charge.
But that wasn't Grim's plan. Instead, as soon as he neared the spears, he activated his cloak and pivoted left. While slowing his run and allowing his footsteps to return to absolute silence. He dashed down the line. Making out the confused looks on some of the men's faces, peeking out from behind their shields. He rounded the end of the line and turned once more.
On his HUD, twenty five figures sprang forth from the line of their fellow men. All highlighted in a bright red outline. These were the men Phoebe had designated as the most likely to be the leaders of their section of the wall or bowmen. Between the shield wall and line of archers, one man stood with his shield and sword readied. His gaze frantically raced up and down the line. Seemingly looking for Grim.
He was dressed in what had to be considered as the armor of a general. With a long, blue cloak, and Hoplite armor. Every few seconds, one of the men on the line would rattle something off and the man would shout back. Probably trying to maintain order, or give marching orders.
It was during one of these conversations that Grim struck. He raced forward and pulled his knife from his chest. Before flipping it around into a reverse grip, as his right hand pulled his pistol free.
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Athena had long gotten used to the Spartan's speed by this point. When he wanted to, he became little more than a blur to both the Amazons' and gods' eyes. What she was not prepared for was the blur completely disappearing. As if something had swooped down and plucked him from the earth.
Nor was she prepared for the shouts of surprise from the Amazons and Spartoi below. Some exclaimed in shock, while others in anger. Thinking that the Spartan had fled. But one look towards Ares told her a different story. The god was smiling. Not a smirk or one of faux smiles. A genuine wide smile. It told her all she needed to know.
Which is why she shouldn't have been surprised when the general of the Spartoi's head fell from his shoulders. As soundlessly as a snake in grass.
It took his men a good minute and a half to realize what had happened. But by that time, it was too late. Twelve, loud coughs rang out from behind their line. Dropping approximately thirty six men. All of them sporting large holes in their stomachs, or, if they were crouched, their heads. Some were writhing around on the ground in pain, while others lay motionless.
Suddenly, as if he were a demon being summoned from hell, the black figure of the Spartan materialized in the center of their ranks.
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Grim snapped a fresh clip into his pistol with a satisfying click. His shots had easily over-penetrated the bronze armor of the warriors around him and had dropped their number by ten percent. All before they realized where he was.
But that had changed now, as he dropped his cloak.
The first group of men to notice him were the archers standing behind him. All of them shouting in alarm and rushing to pull their swords from their sheaths. Grim ignored them for the moment. Instead, he was more focused on firing his pistol into the backs of the men lining the shield wall. If he placed his shots dead center of their backs, he could clear three targets with one bullet. As it would pass through the backs the spear holder and standing shieldman, but would absolutely kill the crouched shieldman in front of him.
He fired as fast as his reflexes and aim would let him. Emptying the entire clip in less than three seconds. Then, with an efficiency that was more machine than man, he swapped in a fresh one and repeated the process again.
"I'm showing one third of their men have been neutralized… Head's up! Incoming!" Phoebe called out as a large, red arrow appeared on his motion tracker. Pointing behind him.
Grim spun and lashed out with his knife. Catching the first of the archers through his left ear. He then raised his pistol and fired off a series of shots. Catching more of the man's comrades as they rushed him. Causing them to stumble and fall before their comrades fell over their bodies.
Then, a flash of silver in Grim's right eye caught his attention, as he raised his arm towards it. A low hiss then rang out as one of the archer's swords bounced off his shield. Grim then turned and leveled a left hook at the man's face. Which impacted with a loud clang and crumpling of metal, as the archer's helmet deformed under the strike. Killing the man.
He spun again and levelled his pistol. Behind him, the first of the men from the shield wall had approached him. Most of them clutching their spears and jabbing towards him. Grim batted away the first of the spears before placing the barrel of his pistol against the helmet of the closest man. He pulled the trigger and dropped both him and three men behind him.
He then heard the distinctive whine of a blade slicing through the air. Ducking low, he kicked out his left leg and heard the loud snap of bone and pained screaming. He then followed this kick with a right uppercut. Sending the man flying. Before he slammed his right elbow back down. Catching another group of men as he turned. Sending the three of them flying.
His knife spun in his grip as, with a backhanded swipe, he batted away another sword. Before he leveled a front kick and launched the man back, his cuirass dented inwards. The knife then swung back upwards. Cutting through the underside of another man's jaw and into this brainpan above.
One man thought he'd be brave and try to cross slash Grim's exposed neck. This was a mistake, as the Spartan simply leaned back and smacked the back of his helmet with his pistol's butt. Before ending him with a quick curb stomp.
From there, it became of blur of blocks, counters, and shooting for Grim, as he immersed himself in the battle and settled into the ease of highly trained reflexes.
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"Three hundred soldiers. Three hundred men versus one who called himself Spartan. One, who should have died in the opening throws of the battle. Not creating a small ring of bodies everywhere he moved." Athena thought disbelievingly.
It seemed her thoughts were mimicked by the queen and her daughters next to the goddess. As their visages had grown considerably pale. The youngest even looked a bit sick if Athena was being honest. Not that the goddess could blame them.
For many of their sisters this would be the first time they would have seen the horrors of war. Outside the scrolls of Greek myth and heroes' journeys they had in their library. It's a shame that fact is often far worse than the fiction written by humanity.
Out on the field, the Spartan had grabbed and lifted a man by his neck. Without even glancing over to see the man. The man's neck then contorted unnaturally as his body fell limp. Only to be hurled bodily at three more of the man's fellow warriors.
The Spartan then turned and jammed that little silver box of his into the throat of another charging man. Causing the man to drop to his knees and claw at this throat. While above him, the Spartan pulled a small box from with the silver object and replaced it with an exact copy. He then pulled on the back of his silver box before levelling it on more of the charging Spartoi. The sound of loud coughs then filled the air as the Spartan dropped more of their number, as if by magic.
The Spartan then strangely, pulled the silver contraption back. Settling it on his right thigh as he pulled his strange, curved knife free. Athena had seen all manner of curved blades before in her time on Earth. But it seems that in her isolation the world had continued to innovate. As she couldn't fathom one would want their blade to curve towards the enemy.
The Spartan's movements blurred one more. Only this time, they were punctuated by clouds of red. As limbs and other body parts would fly clear of the meat grinder. Often, she'd see the Spartan move towards a man, only to be followed by a flurry of movement and then the man dropping to the ground as if his strings had been cut.
There was no attack the Spartan could not deflect, counter, or weather it seemed. As those that were fortunate enough to strike him, simply had their swords bounce off some golden field. Before the Spartan would cut them down a moment later.
"I must say, this was fun. We should do it again the next time a stranger washes up on your shores." Ares purred, sounding incredibly self satisfied.
"The fight is not yet over." Athena pointed out. Earning her a snort from her brother.
"Please! The remaining men down there are either already dead or soon to be dead. At least their corpses have served a purpose for your little pets." Ares answered with a dismissive wave.
As much as it pained her to admit it, Ares was right. There were less than twenty…eighteen men still alive down on the field. The Spartan had rolled right over them as if they were made of paper and wood. He had also given the Amazons a glimpse of the world beyond their shores, and they were not happy with what they had seen.
"This is what you wanted." Hippolyta said absently. Her gaze looked on the carnage below her.
"Hmm. Mostly." Ares conceded, "I was hoping my sister would have pitted him against a few of your sisters, but I believe this last bout has served the same purpose."
"And what was that?" Diana asked next to her mother.
"Testing the worthiness of my newest champion." Ares purred once more.
Athena narrowed her eyes at Ares as the god turned to meet her gaze. She knew him and he knew her. He knows exactly what that means for both the Amazons and the world at large. She would not allow that to happen.
Ares watched as his sister flinched minutely. Only for her to quietly and quickly snap her fingers once more. A golden shine appearing and disappearing faster than the human eye could process.
"Sometimes, she truly is too easy." Ares thought with a smirk.
While Athena prayed that she hadn't just been had by the bloodthirsty god across from her.
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Grim drove his knife through the chest of the final man. Slicing cleanly through his heart and severing his connection to the mortal coil. Then, with a shove, he freed his blade once more. Before he turned to survey his work.
Within his helmet, he was panting heavily. As his muscles screamed in protest and his shoulders rose and fell rhythmically. All around him was a circle of bodies and blood. Some were torn apart, while others remained mostly whole. The air was filled with the coppery smell of blood and death.
"We're clear Spartan. Stand down." Phoebe ordered gently.
With a nod, Grim flicked his knives to clear them of blood and sheathed them once more. He then began to breathe slowly through his nose. Calming his nerves and coming down from the combat high. Something all his brothers and sisters had to learn. Even if they no longer feared combat.
"Status?" He questioned.
"Green across the board! The closest they ever got was reducing your shields down to a fourth. But you moved too quickly for them to make any real progress." Phoebe reported happily.
"Hmm." Grim hummed as he turned his eyes towards the goddess on the wall. He then began to make his way before her. His eyes locked on the woman above.
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The Amazons watched as the Spartan neared the base of their walls. His golden gaze locked on their Lady. Who stared back stoically. Even if her brother was clapping slowly next to her. The only one on the wall actually doing so.
The Spartan looked up at their lady for a second before he spoke.
"I want my rifle back."