1
Silently, like shadows passing over a deserted graveyard, the figures made their way to the mouth of a cave that would lead them underground. The lead squire held her hand up to stop the others, and listened intently. They weren’t sure this was the correct way, but they weren’t really there to find the exact route anyway.2
They were the bait, the diversion to draw gallu out so that the others could get in, find the kids, and get to safety. Once that was accomplished, then they would turn and run, making it look like a botched rescue attempt. In theory, that is. And hopefully something the demons would fall for.3
Not wanting to draw attention to the main rescuers, the woman checked her watch, motioning to the others forward. They had five minutes to make it deep into the cave, and she planned on keeping to the timeline worked up by both Ash and Leo.4
A few hundred meters underground, another group stood in the shadows, watching as gallu walked the halls in front of them. Shielded by an immortal’s powers, their scents were masked so as not to tip off the gallu of their presence. There would be a time for them to be noticed, but now was not it. 5
Tria forced herself to be calm as she glanced at her companions, not really believing what she was seeing. Sweet, cute, innocent looking Simi now had the appearance of something from a bad dream, and her sister looked no better. Aiden had a stressed look on her face, like she was somewhere she really didn’t want to be, doing something she would rather not be doing. 6
The only calm one was Ash, and he looked a little too calm. He had a decidedly deadly aura around him, even more than usual, and every so often his eyes would flash red for a brief moment before returning to their usual silver swirl.7
What surprised Tria most was that Ash was holding her hand as they waited. She knew that Simi had some idea of their being something between them, and Xirena had looked at the joined hands, rolled her demon eyes, and then ignored them both. Aiden glanced at them, then at Ash with a smirk, and turned as he gave her a glare.8
This was definitely a strange moment in an already surreal past few weeks. 9
~~~~~~~~~~~10
Kessar rubbed his hands together as he gave a rare smile. A group of humans had been spotted just outside one of the entrances that circuitously led to the gallu main area. He was surprised to learn that Ash had not been spotted amongst them, but knew that the immortal would probably appear some other way since he didn’t seem the type to use some basic entrance. 11
Ash had been in the caverns before, not quite a half year earlier when he, along with a few other gods and assorted immortals stopped six of seven of the ultimate demons, the Dimme, from escaping and ruling the world. That had been a major annoyance to Kessar, since he would have to wait an additional three thousand years for another chance to release the Dimme. And knowing Ash, the cursed Atlantean would probably be there once more to screw things up. Honestly, a demon couldn’t get a break some days. 12
But that was about to change. It would be a small victory, but it was better than nothing at all. By killing the next generation of squires, Kessar would not only deal a massive blow to the Dark-Hunter’s underlings, but also to the almighty Ash himself, who would hopefully hold himself responsible. Hurting Ash would hurt the Goddess Artemis, which would hurt her brother Apollo, which would please Stryker to no end. 13
Shaking his head slightly at the domino effect that seemed to go hand in hand while dealing with assorted gods, Kessar ordered a group of gallu to intercept the intruders that were steadily making their way through the cave, while he sent another group to stand guard around the hostages. 14
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~15
In the small area where the children were, certain things seemed to be out of the ordinary based on the length of their captivity. There was a definite gallu presence now, with their usual three guards suddenly becoming ten.16
Quietly waking some that had been sleeping, Frank, the eldest, gathered them as close as he could and talked in a low voice. “I think it’s going to happen very soon,” he said. 17
One of the younger captives clenched his lips together to keep from crying, and nodded. “Stick together,” he whispered. “No one left behind.”18
Frank looked at him with a nod. “Exactly.” Glancing to make sure they were not being watched, he then looked at the second eldest. “How many did you get done?”19
“Six,” she whispered, carefully bending and pulling things out of a crevice in the wall. Six pointed stones sat on the dirt, their tips and sharp edges visible in the artificial light. “This stone is fairly strong, and should penetrate soft skin.”20
Frank exhaled. “So no chance of between the eyes.”21
She shrugged helplessly. “It’ll at least give someone a few extra seconds to get away, and that could be all they need.”22
“Excellent.” He went back to the others. “Grab your partner, and divvy up the shivs. We’ve all been trained in self-defense, so use it. Just… stay away from the face if you strike. No need for anyone to get bitten.”23
“If we do?”24
“No one gets left behind,” he reminded them quietly, not wanting to scare the younger ones. Then, he realized that it could be damning some to an unnecessary death. “If someone is bitten, grab them and run. The council will take care of them. If one of us looks dead, then leave them.”25
“No.”26
“Yes.” He sighed. “We’re being raised for a special position in life, and part of that position is knowing when to serve the greater good. Yes, leaving a body for the gallu is a disgusting thing, but if we take the body, and it becomes gallu, then you just helped spread their horror.”27
Fourteen faces stared at him, faces he hoped he would see once more as soon as they were rescued. Not wanting the pressure he was now under, he turned from them and went to the other side of the small area and sat with his back against the wall.28
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~29
One moment, the squires were steadily making their way through a cave, then before any realized, they were completely surrounded by Gallu.30
“Break and defend,” the leader ordered, pulling her weapon of her shoulder. Gallu may have been tough, but they couldn’t withstand a few rounds from a weapon firing bullets at such a close range.31
Firing at the advancing demons, she smiled tightly when two rounds penetrated straight between the eyes, exploding the heads before dropping them to the ground. Like most mindless zombies in any B-rated horror movie, the gallu merely stepped over the bodies of their fallen brethren as they continued closing in.32
Quickly checking her watch, she swore when there were still a few minutes left before the other team would leap into action. Pushing a small button on her communicator, she silently sent message to Ash that he could move at any time now. 33
Every time a gallu fell, one of the squires would light, then toss a special made incendiary device towards them. Powerful, the small metal cone would burn for hours, making sure that the gallu would be completely gone and not able to resurface again to hunt more humans.34
Turning as more gallu entered, the leader fired more shots with others. “Fall back,” she ordered, loud enough for most of the gallu to hear. By leading them further away, there would be less to interfere with Ash’s group.35
As planned, the gallu followed, but not as planned, they managed to grab hold of one of the squires, pulling him into a small group and forcing him to the ground. Firing on the group managed to thin them out enough for the squire to scurry to relative safety as he panted and moaned from bites on his arms and legs. 36
“Take him out,” she ordered. “Cauterize the wounds, cauterize them again, then call for immediate pick up… in that order.” Turning her back as one of the squires grabbed the injured one by the arm and hustled him back the way they had come. 37
~~~~~~~~~~38
Ash felt the communicator vibrate in his pocket, prompting him to mentally seek out the squire. Watching the fight through his eyes, he waited a few extra second for them to get closer to the cave opening, then looked at the four with him. 39
“Now,” he said in a low voice, dropping the shield he had secured around them.40
Ahead, three gallu stopped in their tracks as they immediately picked up the scent of intruders and turned in time to see two Charonte demons descend upon them.41
Tria turned from the carnage, and the sickening sound of crunching bones, inhaling through her nose so she wouldn’t throw up. Ash paused to get his bearings and to locate the children, then pointed. 42
“This way,” he said. “Simi, Xirena, come on.”43
Two demon faces looked up from the carcasses on the ground, then joined them. Walking quickly but quietly, they made their way, killing the occasional gallu that stumbled upon them. Ash stopped when Aiden placed a hand on his arm.44
“Wait,” she said. “Ash. I… this doesn’t feel right.”45
“How?” he asked, feeling out with his senses for any lurkers or dangers.46
“Not this,” she said. “I mean...” Stopping, she shook her head. “Never mind.” 47
“Okay,” he said slowly, trying to access her mind, frowning when he realized he was completely locked out. She only did that when she was pissed off with him, and as far as he knew, he hadn’t done anything recently to annoy her. “Let’s go.” He stopped again. “They’re moving the kids.”48
“What?”49
“This way,” he said, motioning to his left. 50
~~~~~~~~~~51
Walking in to the area that held the hostages, Kessar looked them over, then let his face morph into his preferred demon look. A few appeared frighten, while most simply stared at him. 52
“Time to go,” he growled. 53
“Where?” Frank asked.54
Walking up to the on that had spoken, he pulled back and smacked him hard across the face, splitting his lip and knocking him into the wall. Approaching the teen, he grabbed him by the hair and pulled his head back. “Wherever I say you’re to go.”55
The others looked in horror as the demon lowered his open mouth to the exposed neck. So intent on the youth’s throat that he failed to notice the body below him shifting slightly. Suddenly, a leg swept against his, dropping him to the ground and pulling the teen out of his grasp. 56
Frank sprung to his feet and calmly walked over to rejoin the others. He glared at Kessar defiantly as the demon leader pulled himself to his feet.57
Advancing on the teen, Kessar stopped suddenly when need kicked through his revenge. “Well done,” he said slowly. “It is a refreshing change to have a fighter instead of a meek human.” 58
Turning, he motioned for the other gallu to gather the hostages up and follow him. Offering no more resistance, the group followed the short distance to a much larger area, complete with a small hole in the floor. 59
Frank didn’t even want to think what went through that hole, and as he looked around, he had a distinct sinking feeling that they were absolutely in a whole lot of trouble.60
“Sit.” Kessar pointed to a spot on the floor across from the hole. “I want the new generation of Squires to witness the destruction of their future.”61
“That’s not nice,” a voice said from an archway.62
Kessar stiffened, then turned slowly so as to not look as surprised as he felt. “How nice of you to finally attempt something,” he said to the group that stood there. “I was starting to think that human life had no value to you.”63
Ash gave him a smile full of hatred. “Once again, you were wrong.”64
“Fine,” Kessar said with an exaggerate sigh. He turned to the gallu in the room. “Get rid of them.”65
Simi and Xirena moved to the front, intercepting the oncoming gallu, wrapping wings around a few at once as they dug in. Firing flames at any and all target she caught sight of, Tria steadily worked her way into the room. Sights set on Kessar, Ash stalked across the area, pausing long enough to kill any gallu that got in his way. 66
“Ready,” Frank whispered to the person behind him, prompting the word to be spread quickly through the youth. Slowly getting to his knees, then feet, he pulled the small stone knife from his pocket, and stood behind one of the gallu guarding them. 67
So intent on the fighting going on in front of them, he didn’t hear the human behind him until it was too late. Pain sliced through the back of his neck as something sharp entered, hitting the right spot at snapping his body to the ground like a twig. 68
Frank looked at the body in shock, then at the broken stone in his hand. “That’ll do,” he said, taking a step back as the guards turned to look. Giving them an innocent look, he shrugged. “He fell.”69
Not buying it, the gallu bared his fangs and approached. 70
~~~~~~~~~~~71
The entrance for the cave was getting closer with every second, and unfortunately, so were the gallu. The two squires stood just outside the entrance, bandaging the burn marks that now covered a fair portion of one of the squire’s arms. 72
“They coming?”73
The uninjured one took a look in. “I can see shadows from the lights, but not much more.” He went back to bandaging. “A day in solitary, and you’ll be good as new.” 74
They both looked as the helicopter that had originally dropped them off flew through a small opening between two hills, then land a few hundred feet away. 75
Three men got out of the body of the craft, running towards them. Two continued to just inside the mouth of the cave while the other grabbed the injured squire and helped him to the helicopter. 76
Bringing a whistle to his mouth, one of the just arrived squires blew into it, the noise echoing through the cave and working its way further in. Within seconds, running feet could be heard, followed closely by the original group as they ran for the exit, and safety.77
“Move!” the lead squire yelled as she brought up the rear. Passing by the two at the door, she didn’t even stop. “I’m the last one,” she said as she sped past. 78
Firing a few shots at the pursuing gallu, the pickup duo then ducked out of the cave and followed the original team. Jumping into the helicopter, the door slammed on a few gallu faces, and a gun popped out from a side window, blasting away a few more that tried to grab on. 79
Slowly pulling up from the ground, the ‘copter flew away, sometimes barely two feet from the terrain as it navigate its way to safety.80
“Anyone else bitten?” the pick up team asked. Two squires raised their hands, and then motioned to the infected area. “Land us a few more miles away,” he said to the pilot. “We’ll cauterize before it gets too bad, then we’ll be on our way.”81
“Any news from the other team?” the pilot asked.82
“No.” The lead squire shook her head. 83
~~~~~~~~~~~84
Things were decidedly not going the way Kessar had planned. Through his link with other gallu, he discovered that the squires that were in the tunnel were putting up a fight. But, oddly enough, they seemed to be retreating. 85
Something was wrong with that, and while he watched, he realized there was a lot of noise coming from the area his hostages were in. Turning, he was surprised, although slightly impressed, that the children were fighting back. A few of his gallu lay on the ground, while others were covered in children that were kicking and punching as hard as their human bodies would let them.86
Deciding that he could still salvage part of this, he took a step towards the children. “Kill the humans!” he ordered. 87
Completely abandoning her original reason for being there, Aiden forced her way through fighting gallu and immortals so she could reach the children. A few were in combat with gallu, stabbing with what looked like rocks, while others kicked and punched.88
Reaching the first gallu, Aiden manifested a long knife in her hand, shoved it into the demon’s back, and twisted, letting him fall as he went for another. So far, the others were keeping the rest of the gallu from joining the attack of the children, but it would only be a matter of time before the shear numbers allowed a few more to seep through. 89
“Everyone grab on,” Aiden ordered, holding her arms out. Mentally counting all the hands that latched on to her, she teleported them to a room in the squire building. 90
Shocked faces looked at her and the children as some rushed to greet while others drew weapons. 91
“Not sure if anyone was bitten,” she said. “Did I get everyone?”92
Leo’s eyes sped across the children as he counted. “Fifteen,” he said. “Thank you.”93
Nodding at the emotion in his voice, Aiden looked from one side to the other. The children had shocked looks on their faces, as if they were trying to figure out how they had gotten from the caves to safety, and if it was real or not. “You can let go now.”94
As soon as the hands left, she vanished, arriving back in the caves. Staggering slightly at the exertion transporting fifteen individuals had brought her, she waited a few seconds for the light-headed feeling to go away. 95
Hoping she hadn’t missed her opportunity to remove Tria from the picture, she zeroed in on the Huntress and then teleported to her location. Arriving in the middle of a full blown fight, she ducked as a gallu headed for her, and kicked out, sending him flying into another and then to the floor. 96
Spying the one that had removed his hostages, Kessar snarled. He had laughed sinisterly as the lone woman fought her way to the children as they defended themselves, and then watched, completely shocked at what happened next. 97
She had simply vanished with the hostages, and that meant one thing, either goddess or Were-Hunter. His suspicions were confirmed as the women morphed into a small bird for a few seconds to attack in a small space, then changed back to human when the gallu fell to the ground.98
Knowing when to cut his losses and run, Kessar slowly made his way to the door, his attention on the fighting in front of him. Wanting to make a last taunting impression, he waited until the Huntress looked in his direction.99
“They will never be free,” he yelled. “We will hunt every last one down and bring them back to join us!” He ducked through the door, barely escaping the fireball Tria threw at him.100
“I’m going to kick his ass!” Tria snarled as she disposed of a gallu by slamming his with a fireball between the eyes, she then set off after the retreating Gallu leader. 101
Ash was about to object when he realized Aiden started to follow. Turning back to the fight, he beheaded two gallu at once, and turned to a third.102
Running to catch up, Aiden called out to let Tria know that it was her running up behind, and not a gallu. Pausing long enough for the Were-Hunter to get to her, Tria started running again. 103
They had just made it around another corner when Aiden stopped running. Tria skidded to a halt, and looked at her. 104
“Hurry up, he’s getting away.”105
“This,” Aiden said regretfully, laying a hand on Tria’s arm, “is as far as you go.”106
~~~~~~~~~~~107
“I want every non-gallu killed,” Kessar ordered as he ran. One of his demons left to do his bidding as he continued towards the area where the squires had last been reported. 108
The area ahead reeked of burning flesh, and he slowed to a trot as he came upon his worse fears. Somehow, the small group of humans had complete decimated most of his gallu. He’d have to find out how they’d done that, since it would benefit his army to track those Squires down and add them to his ranks.
Angry, he cursed in ancient Sumerian, damning the Dark-Hunters, Squires, and Were-Hunters to a painful death. It wasn’t bad enough that the Dream-Hunters had gone against him last time, but now he had the complete frigging Pyramid of Protection against him. At one time, mistrust and inner fighting separated the Triad of Hunters that was once promised to the humans as protection, but now it looked at if all three sides were firmly entrenched with each other.
And that pissed him off to no end. Especially since he had plans for slowly etching his way into the Were-Hunter population via Stryker, playing on his common ancestry with the hybrids. 109
Staring at the burning demons on the ground, he turned and started back for the last place he had seen the immortals. If he couldn’t sink his double row of fangs into some humans, then he would have to settle for the Hunters.110
~~~~~~~~~~111
Standing alone in the hall, Aiden looked at her hands, then dropped the pendant she had snatched off the Huntress’ neck before removing her from the caves. She shook slightly at what she had done, and what she imagined Ash’s reaction would be. 112
Although it had been a few minutes since she had grabbed Tria, Aiden called on her powers to send her back in time to a point just after the event, and in an area further along the hall.113
Lost in thought, she didn’t notice a shadow that was creeping up behind her until it was nearly too late. A noise caused her to look up, and she forced a genuine scream from her lips as the Gallu swung the ax he was holding.114
Not far away, the battle in the main area was going as well as hoped. The Charonte demons were working their way through the gallu, while Ash was making a rather large dent himself in their numbers. 115
Ash jerked as a shriek echoed through the hall and ran in the direction the women had gone when he realized the sound had been very close to that of an eagle in distress. Closing the distance swiftly, he paused long enough to take in the sight that greeted him, prompting him into immediate action. Bloody and looking half-dazed, Aiden was in the clutches of a gallu that was ready to bite down on her exposed throat. Throwing out his hand, Ash disintegrated the demon on the spot, and trotted to Aiden.116
“Did he bite you?” Ash waited for her to reply, satisfied with the small shake of her head she gave him. “Where’s Tria?” he asked.117
Aiden clenched her eyes tight. “I wasn’t fast enough,’ she said, hoping that Ash would understand without asking too many questions. The way she felt right now, guilt was already tearing her apart. 118
“What?” he asked in a quiet voice. 119
“The… the ax,” she said, placing a hand near her throat. “I wasn’t fast enough to get rid of it before…” Tears seeped out of her eyes, and she realized that they were real. 120
Ash continued to stare, then his eyes tracked to a small object on the floor. Bending over, he picked up the necklace he had given Tria and brought it up in front of his eyes. 121
“I’m sorry, Ash,” Aiden said through the tears. The look on his face brought more, and she had to clamp down on the urge to tell him the truth. 122
Ash stared at the pendant, not understanding why it was on the ground. Nothing seemed to be adding up. Ax…throat…I’m sorry, Ash. The words spun through his mind too fast for him to grasp. Jerking suddenly, he realized that he couldn’t feel Tria anywhere. 123
Aiden cowered as Ash suddenly yelled, the sound echoing off the walls around them. 124
“Ash?” she asked in a small voice, clenching her mouth shut as his head whipped to her.125
“Leave.”126
“Ash?”127
“I. Said. Leave,” he repeated, punctuating each word by making them their own sentence. “Now.”128
Nodding once, she vanished. Appearing on the beach on Neratiti, Aiden sunk to her knees as tears streamed down her face. She had caused one of her best friends immeasurable pain, and there was no way he would ever forgive her once he found out what she had done. 129
Standing alone in the cavern, Ash stared at a spot on the ground where he saw the pendant. Spinning, he stalked back to the area he had been, the sounds of fighting reaching out to him, beckoning his true form, taunting for it to come out and play. 130
For once, he didn’t try to fight the urge, and as he walked, his vision dimmed to a hazy red as fire danced in his eyes. His skin morphed to blue shade, marbleized by silver, as his fangs double sized. Striding in, he lifted one hand, destroying every gallu in the room.131
Simi looked at him, and stopped cold. “Akri?”132
“Go home,” he ordered, not watching as both Charonte vanished instantly. They knew better than to argue with a pissed off Atlantean god of fate… especially one in his natural form. 133
Ash turn to make his way out to annihilate all the other gallu for revenge and a basic desire to seriously hurt something that had destroyed one of the few things he could call his own. He stopped as a man appeared in the archway.134
“Acheron.”135
“Out of my way, Savitar,” Ash said, his voice a deep demonic sound. 136
“It’s not going to help,” Savitar said calmly, remaining in the doorway. “You let that anger rule you and soon it will be too strong to control. All you’ll succeed in doing is fulfill your prophecy.”137
“Isn’t that what you want me to do?” Ash asked, sarcasm weaving with the angry pain he felt.138
“What I want is immaterial at this particular moment.” Savitar took a small step forward, stopping when Ash’s eyes grew a deeper red. 139
“You knew this was going to happen.”140
“Yes,” Savitar replied evenly.141
”Why didn’t you tell me?” he demanded in a demonic growl.142
“And what?” Have you keep away from her?” Savitar took another step, relieved when Ash stayed where he was. So far, so good. “The past few weeks are the happiest you’ve been in ten thousand years.”143
“You bastard.”144
“That I am,” Savitar agreed. His own eyes flashed red for a brief moment. “Don’t think I’m going to let you walk out of here as you are now. I said I would never destroy you, not that I could never.”145
“Tria is dead,” Ash yelled, anguish in his voice.146
“She’s gone,” Savitar said mysteriously.147
“I fucking hate you. Stay the fuck away from me.”148
A tic worked in Savitar’s jaw as he fought to react. “I know you don’t mean that, Acheron, so I won’t hold it against you.” He took a few more steps towards the angry god. “I’m going to have to ask you to reign in your anger. Now, if you will. Unless you want to see your mother free.”149
“I don’t care.”150
“Yes, you do.” Turning his back on Ash, Savitar wondered if the immortal would fire a shot at him or not. It took either a lot of bravery, or a healthy dose of stupidity to do something like that when Ash was in the mood he was in.151
Ash glared at the immortal in front of him, tempted to destroy him so he would be out of the way. He could feel himself getting angrier and angrier, and pulled on that sensation to sustain both his form and his thoughts. 152
“She knew what would happen if she came here tonight,” Savitar said quietly. “Don’t disrespect her choices by doing this.”153
Ash gasped at the words as he pulled his anger back under some sort of control. His outer appearance remained that of his form, though, and he used it as a shield against the hurt and rage that pleaded to be released. 154
Feeling the anger dissipate behind him, Savitar briefly closed his eyes in relief, thankful that he knew which buttons to push with Ash to make the Atlantean see reason. Savitar looked as Kessar entered the room, followed by about thirty or so gallu, all looking ready to tear into the intruders. “Guess this means your hostages are free.”155
“No.”156
Savitar raised his hand, and Kessar flew straight at him, stopping within an inch of the outstretched hand. “You bartered your hostages for Tria Cavanaugh. She is no longer with us, so that would imply that your hostages go free.”157
“No.” He jerked as the room cleared of Gallu.158
“I just killed thirty-two of your demons,” Savitar said in a conversational tone. “And I will kill two thousand more unless you stop pissing me off.” 159
Kessar lunged to bit him, but fell back when he hit an invisible wall. Glaring at Savitar, he attempted to crawl to his knees.160
Crouching slightly, Savitar looked at him. “I’m about the only being you really don’t want to fuck with, demon. I don’t give a cosmic shit about you or your army, so unless you want me to instill some of my rules into your little world domination plan, you best revise your current line of action.”161
“Fine,” Kessar snarled. “The hostages are free. We won’t hunt them down.”162
“There,” Savitar said with a self-gratifying smile. “See what a little diplomacy can achieve.” He looked at Ash, who was still seething, but finally back in his human appearance. “Time to go little brother.”163
Ash glanced at him, then took the pendant that he still had in his hand and clasped it around his neck. The stone rested under his shirt.164
~~~~~~~~~~~~~165
After seeing a disturbingly quiet Ash back to his home in Katoteros, Savitar returned to his own little heaven. Walking down the halls, he entered a room, pausing at the site of Aiden’s tear-streaked face. She sniffed as she looked at him, and ran her hands over her eyes.166
“He’ll forgive you,” Savitar whispered.167
“You can see that?” she replied, not wanting him to be saying it just to make her feel better.168
Savitar nodded as he approached her, running a hand over her shoulder in comfort as she stood. Not really wanting to admit it to himself, he had been worried about her earlier. Although he knew what the outcome would be, there were too many small things that could have happened to change it drastically. 169
Wrapping his arms around Aiden, he gently forced her to the wall a few feet behind, and stared at her as she looked up at him. Bringing his lips to hers, he kissed with all the passion he held for her, deepening when she instinctively rubbed against him. 170
Finally pulling back, he kissed her lightly on the forehead, and then looked at her. “Ready?”171
At her nod, he took a step back and used his unlimited powers to cover the windows to block out the sunlight, then transported his secret ‘guest’ from the darkened room in the lowered level of the palace. 172
The woman looked surprised, worried, and as her eyes landed on Aiden, angry. Savitar regard her calmly, waiting for her attention to be drawn to him. Her face registered hesitation when she saw him, and she took a hesitant step back. 173
“Welcome to Neratiti, Tria.”174
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~175
Thunder rumbled over the entirety of Katoteros, the noise vibrating the Atlantean heaven, punctuated by lightening as it flashed around and throughout the main throne room.176
Sitting on his throne, Ash stared blankly at the marble floor in front of him, oblivious to the weather his mood was causing. His chest hurt as he pictured Tria in his mind, and he ran a hand over his face as their time together played over and over in front of him. 177
His fingers gently rubbed the pendant as he held it, and he slowly brought it up to touch his forehead as he muttered a silent Atlantean prayer, then brought the stone to his lips. Kissing it lightly, he transferred the pendant to the black backpack that sat by his feet. The pack went with him everywhere, and he wanted something on Tria to go with him everywhere. Not that he would ever forget her. 178
His eyes went wide at a thought, then closed as it slipped away. They had exchanged blood when they had bitten each other, and he rubbed his shoulder, imagining the sensual feel of that moment. She can’t be dead. 179
The thought from earlier surfaced again, and he grabbed at it before it could slip away once more. It was something that Savitar had said, or rather, hadn’t said in the cavern. 180
‘Gone, no longer with us’…not once had the surfer uttered the word ‘dead’. A sprig of hope took root in Ash’s heart, although he knew it was probably more wishful thinking on his part than anything else. 181
“Savitar?” he called out. “Aiden?” he tried when he got no answer. The name Tria was on his lips, but he didn’t want to call out for her, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to handle it if he heard no reply.182
It had been strange for Aiden to have arrived when she did, but he had accepted her offer to help and her whispered explanation that ‘Savitar asked me to’ when she was questioned on it. Yes, Aiden being there… Savitar showing up… something just felt wrong. 183
Searching through the earth for Neratiti, Ash grimaced when he realized that Savitar had once again pulled the island out of normal time and space. Not knowing when it would once again show up, Ash growled in frustration. 184
He didn’t know what to think, and by not having certain answers, he didn’t want to place his heart on the line by grabbing on to false hope. It could very well be that Savitar had sent Aiden to help because he knew that Ash would need the aide of someone that could teleport people out of the caverns. Then again, Aiden could have just been doing Savitar’s dirty work, since she had been the last person with Tria. 185
The thunder increased overhead as the problem spun through Ash’s brain like a cyclone, picking up speed with each thought until it threatened to tear apart the very foundation of both the Atlantean heaven, and its counterpart Atlantean hell. Even now, Ash could feel his mother, Apollymi as she tried to contact him; concerned at the weather his mood was creating in Kalosis.186
Blocking her from his thoughts, he continued to stare at the marble floor as far too may conflicting ideas collided in his mind.187
~~~~~~~~~~~188
The first thing Tria did was direct a fireball straight at Aiden, gasping in surprise as it dissolved harmlessly feet from her.189
“Let’s just get one thing straight,” Savitar said in a pleasant voice as he walked towards her. “Don’t shoot fire at my lady.”190
Tria pulled her glare from Aiden and transferred it to the tall tattooed man that was approaching. “And you are?”191
“Savitar,” he said easily.192
“Name means nothing to me.”193
“As well it shouldn’t.” He stopped directly in front of her, making her crane her neck to see his face. “I’m basically what makes all other gods quake in their shoes… or sandals… whatever the case may be.”194
“Other…gods?”195
“Yes. Now, I believe you have some questions running through your brain, starting with why you’re here, followed by what happened,” he paused and grimaced. “And I would strongly advise against, as you put it, kicking me in the ‘nads. Wouldn’t be a wise move.”196
Tria took a step back, appalled that he could read her thoughts. “Fine,” she said, wrapping her arms around her. “Am I dead?”197
“Technically, yes,” came the reply. “You’re a Huntress, and you had to die for that to happen. But, no, you haven’t died a second time.”198
“And I’m here because…?”199
“Because you need to be here in order for Acheron to get his ass in gear and realize that life exists beyond what he’s resigned himself to.”200
“Ash,” she whispered. “Where is he?”201
Ignoring the question, Savitar held his hand out and a small, long box appeared in it. Staring at her, he opened the box and took a strange pendant out, watching as her hand automatically went to her throat, and felt for the one she wore. “It’s in good hands,” he said, referring to the pendant Ash had given her. “Don’t worry.”202
Tria stared at the other pendant that gently swung in the air between. Reaching out to touch it, her hand jerked back when he gave her a warning look. 203
Savitar stared at the pendent, wondering for the first time if he could do this. Another pantheon’s powers were tricky at times, and if he couldn’t circumnavigate certain rules placed in the pendant, then he could well doom the woman in front of him, and as a result, doom Ash.204
Living by the ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’ motto had served him well for most of his life, and seeing no reason to question it now, his hand tightened around the chain as he looked at her, his eyes changing from light brown to a deep violet.205
“This… is going to hurt,” Savitar said, an instant before he vanished, and reappeared directly behind her. Tria couldn’t budge as he moved her hair to the side, and placed something against the back of her next. 206
A burning like nothing she had ever encountered before stabbed through her neck, working its way to her mind and rest of her body. Yelling in pain, Tria tried to jerk away, but found she couldn’t move as the burning continued. Images from her death flashed in front of her, bringing fresh screams and tears from her.207
Aiden watched warily, not liking the sadistic glint that came to Savitar’s eyes at the pain he was causing. As if hearing her thoughts, his eyes jerked to her, then closed. “No distractions,” he ordered.208
The screaming stopped, and he lowered his hand from her neck, dropping the now cool pendant that was in it. Staggering back slightly, he brought his hand up to look, grimacing at the burn that covered most of it. Healing his hand, he exhaled, then looked back at Tria as she stood in the middle of the room, swaying slightly. Grabbing her as she started to fall, he gently lowered her to the floor and waited.209
He’d never actually attempted anything like this before, and hoped that he hadn’t ruined it. 210
Opening her eyes, she saw the tall stranger kneeling over her.211
“What did you do?” she demanded.212
A mirror appeared in his hand, and he held it over her. Tria looked confused, then stared as green eyes looked back at her. “What …the… hell?”213
“This is what’s going to happen,” Savitar said. “You’re no longer a Hunter, but you’re no longer just human. You drank from Ash, which made you immortal.” He stood from the floor. 214
“What?”215
“I don’t think he thought of that when it happened.” He glanced at Aiden, then back. “You’re going to have to stay here until it’s time.”216
“Time for what?” Tria asked weakly, positive she was dreaming. 217
“Time for Ash to find you.”218
219
The End.
Author notes
I'm gonna miss writing this story. sigh
In a list
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
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very aswome i hate that u ended it so soon i like it but i want it to go on
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oops...
forgot these little guys
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OMGeez! its soooooo goood!
i really love it! i have never read any DH stuff b4 this... its so awesome. well written, well explained, and awesome! it definitely will make a cool book!
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I came back for more DH stories and here they are! As the previous ones , GREAT!!!
I am really curious now what the "Acheron" book would be like :-P
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Historic
That was etremely well written. Man Savitar is a sneeky SOB. You portrayed him well. The scene when Ash when nuts was also amazing. Not every day you get to see the Harbinger of Telikos in his true 'Now you die' form. Again that was amazing.
beginning: 4, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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Most Excellent!!!!
beginning: 5, language: 4, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 4, characters: 4.
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Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
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Amazing
AMAZING
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Thank you, thank you... yes, I am.
Oh, you meant the story
The continuation is in the works, but not for another week or two. I want to post a short story in the realm first, maybe hinting at some of the answers, but not coming right out and telling them.
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Oo wow I give 5 stars!
This is really awesome!! Is there going to be an epilogue??
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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I'm going to conclude this in the next novel I have planned.(Short story coming up next, then the novel)
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