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The Misplaced: Book 2

The Battle of Troy Chapters 1-11

By Richard JonesPublished 6 years ago 45 min read
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CHAPTER 1: ERIC

“Death to the Greeks,” the soldier cried out as he threw his spear at Eric. He was dressed in light bronze armor with a helmet that covered from his head down to each cheek leaving his face exposed.

Eric released a concussive blast that split his spear in two. Undaunted, the soldier drew a short bronze sword from his belt. Before he could make another move, Eric used a second concussive blast that knocked him unconscious. Unfortunately, he was only one of an army.

Not less than five minutes ago, Eric and his friends had stood in the hall of King Arthur, eagerly anticipating Merlin casting his spell to send them home. Instead of arriving back at Haven, they had found themselves here, on an open plain, as two armies approached them from each side.

“Note to self,” Eric thought, as he used his concussive blasts to remove soldiers from the battlefield. “Don’t hire Merlin as your travel agent for your next vacation.”

At his back stood Trace, who was using his lightning bolts to dispatch soldiers from the opposing army. Neither army seemed concerned that they didn’t belong to either side. To his left, Jadin and Alectra also stood back to back. That they were no longer in Arthur’s kingdom hadn’t affected the magic weapons that they had received from Merlin. As Jadin used her sword to slash down opposing soldiers, they fell down at her feet, not dead, but in a deep sleep. The same, for any soldiers that Alectra was removing from play with her bow.

“We have to get out of here,” Evan’s voice came from somewhere to Eric’s right.

“You think?” Eric answered him.

“Trace, go airborne. See if you can find us a path off the battlefield,” Evan ordered.

Eric felt a tingle of energy at his back as Trace ionized the air around him and lifted off the ground. Now without anyone to watch his back, Eric shifted his position to be able to watch approaching enemies from either army.

“This way,” Trace called down to them, “off to our right there’s a hill unoccupied by either army.”

The five remaining friends grouped close together, Evan leading them in the direction Trace indicated. Evan, in his full strength form, used his fists to gingerly knock a soldier in their path unconscious. Panga stayed close to his side, her dagger brandished and ready whenever she found the need to stab an enemy to sleep. Alectra trailed behind them. She had stashed her bow and was using her ability to project emotion manipulation arrows from her fingers to encourage any troops they connected with to retreat in fear. Eric found it interesting that none of the units of either army found it concerning that an African American youth was flying just above their heads. Trace, joined by Evan’s falcon Mercury, flew just high enough to make it easier for them to follow him where he was leading them.

“Does anyone have any idea where we are?” Jadin asked once they reached the relative safety of the hill.

“No idea,” Eric said, “but the troops I was contending with didn’t have kind words to say about Greeks.”

“The troops I faced were saying something about Trojans,” Panga noted.

“Greeks and Trojans,” Evan mused. “Could Merlin’s spell somehow have sent us to the Battle of Troy?”

“I think that might answer your question,” Alectra said as she pointed over their shoulders.

As Eric turned in the direction Alectra indicated, only having just having spent time in the land of King Arthur prepared him for what spread out before his eyes. The city was surrounded by a white stone wall at least twenty feet tall. Archers stood on landings with bows drawn, prepared if the enemy army approached the gates. The enormous wooden gates would take many men to open and would not easily be breached. Many of the city’s buildings couldn’t be seen from the hill, but the palace stood out clearly. It was located along the back wall of the city almost perfectly positioned in the center of the walls. A central spire rose about five feet above the walls and Eric could just make out an open balcony.

“So we are at Troy,” he said, each word tinged with amazement. “Just one thing, I don’t recall Greeks or Trojans speaking English. How is it we were able to understand anything they said?”

“That would be me,” a voice came from behind them. “You might say I have been acting as a universal translator.”

CHAPTER 2: TRACE

If it wasn’t that he hadn’t been there a moment before, Trace wouldn’t have found the figure that now stood in front of the six of them intimidating. He stood only Trace’s own five foot six and looked no older than him. 20-22 perhaps? On top of his short, curly, brown hair he wore a crown that appeared to be weaved of grape vines. He was dressed in a one-piece outfit that Trace couldn’t identify, but resembled a robe with elbow length sleeves and extended to just above his knees. It was attached at the neck with ornate pins. In his right hand, he held a spear that appeared to be tipped by a pine cone. His eyes caught Trace’s attention most. His left eye was bloodshot while his right was open wide as if he had finished his 100th cup of coffee. He met Trace’s eyes, whose hand crackled with lightning.

“None of that, Son of Zeus,” he said. The charge in Trace’s hand immediately shut down. He then addressed the group. “Greetings, I am Dionysus of Mount Olympus, God of Wine and Madness,” he said by way of introduction. “I believe we are due for a business meeting.”

The tone of the God’s voice changed with each sentence. First, his words were slurred as if he was just coming off of a 24 hr. bender, the next with the cackling tone of a madman.

“Or,” Alectra said as she impacted the God with one of her pink affection arrows. “You could just send us home,” she said, smiling at him sweetly.

“Yes, that sounds like a wondrous idea,” Dionysus said agreeably, before breaking out in maniacal laughter. “Did you think, Daughter of Eros, that your tricks would work on me? A God of Olympus. Are you even sure I have emotions to manipulate?”

“You have emotions,” Panga confirmed. “In fact, you’re feeling rather smug at the moment.”

“Quite right, Daughter of Aphrodite,” Dionysus said, “but as I was saying on to business.”

With a wave of his hand, a wooden table appeared complete with seven chairs made of woven grape vines. Dionysus took a seat at the head of the table and gestured to them to take a seat. As Trace sat down in his chair, he found it was surprisingly comfortable. A second wave of his hand and seven goblets of wine appeared before them. As both he and Jadin were under 21 Trace suspected Dionysus didn’t adhere to a minimum age requirement. Eric took his goblet and downed his wine in a single gulp.

“Would it be possible for me to get a Diet Coke?” Jadin asked politely as she frowned down at her goblet.

“Would this Diet Coke be made from grapes?” Dionysus asked her.

“Well, no,” Jadin answered him.

“I never supposed a child of mine would lack a taste for wine,” he said sounding genuinely disappointed. “In answer to your request, no. I am the God of Wine, not of Assorted Beverages.”

Jadin wrinkled her nose. Trace doubted she much appreciated the suggestion of being related to Dionysus in any manner. Evan cleared his throat as he attempted to redirect the conversation. “You said you had business to discuss?”

“Yes, Son of Ares, to the matter at hand,” Dionysus said. “As we speak a Persian leader by the name of Darnaxes, is marching an army to this war. His forces have been bankrolled, you might say, by Hades, God of the Underworld. He has reinforced Darnaxes’ military with various monsters and units of his own dead. I have assembled you six demigods to intercept and turn back his forces.”

“So you want us to ensure the outcome of the Trojan War?” Evan asked.

“I have no interest in who wins this war,” Dionysus said dismissively. “I do care about my own worship. If Darnaxes’ army reaches Troy, they will defeat the Greeks, take the city, and then move onto Greece, where they will tear down our temples and altars and instate Hades as the sole God.”

“So, why do you need us?” Eric asked. He had reached out and pulled all the untouched goblets to his place at the table and slowly been drinking each one. “Why don’t you and your mighty pine cone go and teach this General a lesson?”

“Have a care who you mock, Son of Momus,” Dionysus said both of his eyes suddenly blazing with madness, “or you may find out how threatening my thyrsus can be. While a God may meddle in the affairs of mortals, another God may not interfere with his actions. At least not directly.”

“But why us?” Evan asked. “Aren’t their heroes here who could defeat this threat?”

“The fates of all those here are tied to this war. None of them can be spared,” Dionysus answered.

“So we’re your loophole,” Eric said.

“Correct,” Dionysus agreed. “Now as I imagine your mortal forms require sustenance as much others.” He waved his hand and ram’s horns and small pouches similar to the canteens they had carried in Arthur’s land appeared before each of them. “The cornucopia’s will provide for your food needs while the pouches will do the same for water.”

When they picked up the cornucopia’s they each morphed in appearance becoming a more modern item. For Panga it became a small bejeweled purse, Jadin’s became a book bag, and Alectra’s became a large leather purse. Each of the boys’ resembled camping backpacks.

“You can do water,” Jadin said, “but not Diet Coke.”

“Water is necessary for wine, child,” Dionysus answered simply.

“How are we to find this army?” Evan asked. “I imagine Mercury could lead us to them.”

“The enchantments placed on your falcon can indeed lead you to Darnaxes; however, I prefer to stack the deck.”

Trace’s head suddenly burned with pain, forcing him to shut his eyes. “I apologize for that,” Dionysus said, his voice devoid of any true remorse. When Trace opened his eyes a rough map enveloped his field of vision. An X far to the east of the map glowed red. “Each of you now knows the location of Darnaxes’ army and as you move closer the distance to that army will decrease on the map. All it will take is a thought and the map will reappear to you.”

“Now, I take my leave from you. Do not forget, the fate of Olympus rests on your success,” Dionysus said. A final wave of his hand and the God and the table vanished. Trace was grateful he didn’t take the chairs.

CHAPTER 3: EVAN

Before beginning their new adventure the group decided they needed a picnic first. Out of all the unusual places for their meals, and just about all of them were unusual, a picnic on a hill overlooking Troy and the field of battle had to take the cake. Evan reached into his pack and pulled out a ham topped with pineapple slices. It came complete with a plate and utensils. One nice side benefit of magical meals, there were no dishes to wash. They did, however, miss the table. They were forced to balance their meals in their hands or on their laps. Beside him to his right, Panga had settled for a turkey sandwich on wheat bread with lettuce and tomatoes. Across the table from him, Jadin chewed on a blueberry muffin and a bowl of cheerios complete with milk. The saddlebags they had carried while in Arthur’s lands and now Dionysus’ cornucopias would provide something liquid like the milk for Jadin’s cereal, but they couldn’t receive a glass of milk or other drink with their meals. Next, to Jadin, Alectra had a plate of Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes and brown gravy. Next to Alectra, Eric ever the comedian, decided to have cheese and crackers to go with the wine he had drunk during Dionysus’ business meeting. Trace had elected for a liver and onions meal.

Evan looked down over the battlefield where the Greeks and Trojans had declared a truce for the day. The Greeks had retreated to a camp bordered on one side by a river and the other by what Evan suspected was the Mediterranean Sea. The Trojans set up camp just outside of the city walls. Outriders from both armies rode out onto the battlefield to collect the dead, among which included those defeated by the six of them. Evan hoped they would note they were still breathing and not place them for funeral rites. He turned to join his friends in their conversation.

“We’re at Troy, but we can’t be at The Troy can we?” he asked. “I mean the God’s didn’t really fight at Troy did they?”

“So says our resident super strong werewolf,” Eric noted.

After their meal, they followed Mercury who flew above them away from the battlefield. Their path took them away from both Greek and Trojan forces and they faced no other opposition. They journeyed to sunset before making camp for the night.

By midday, the next day, the group approached a lake. As Evan accessed Dionysus’ map, he observed it to be about ten miles in diameter. Darnaxes was still far to the East on the map directly across from the lake. They had closed little of the gap between themselves and the army.

“We’ll have to go around the lake in either direction. Neither one of them will bring us closer to Darnaxes,” Evan said.

“He doesn’t seem to be in much of a rush,” Eric observed.

“The Trojan War lasted ten years,” Evan said. “We don’t know in what year we arrived, but in any case, Darnaxes can let the Greeks and Trojans do most of his work for him. Their battles will weaken them in both military strength and endurance.”

“You’ve been at this General thing too long,” Eric said.

As they approached the shoreline, a geyser erupted a foot away from them in the lake. As the water rained down on them they found themselves faced with a head ten feet above them attached to a slender neck. The beast roared revealing razor-sharp teeth bright alert eyes looked down on them from each side of its head. As the beast lunged down at them Trace intercepted it with a bolt of lightning as they separated placing more space between them and the monster. The beast merely seemed irritated by Trace’s attack. More geysers erupted about three feet apart on each side of the beast revealing similar creatures. What Evan suspected was multiple beasts became far more terrorizing as the heads lifted further above them. An enormous body that Evan couldn’t fully see appeared almost as an island in itself. Each of the now seven heads was attached to the body. As each of the heads attacked them once more, Evan shifted to his full wolf form. On each side of him, Panga and Jadin drew their blades. Trace, Eric, and Alectra countered the monster with lightning, concussive blasts and light arrows. Even when they hit, Alectra’s light arrows didn’t have the desired effect. The beast seemed resistant to the sleeping spell.

“We might as well be tickling it,” Trace said as he flew up and above the monster hitting one head with a high voltage lightning bolt to the forehead. The monster roared in pain then snapped at him forcing him to dodge around the open jaws.

Evan darted between two of the heads bringing his claws down on a third slicing the head clean off the neck. This only resulted in him having a clear picture of the monster they were facing as two more heads grew from the severed neck.

“Hydra,” Evan said as he retreated away from the attacking heads regrouping with his friends.

“You forgot the hail,” Eric said releasing more concussive volleys against the monster.

“He means it’s a hydra,” Alectra said ignoring Eric’s attempt at humor. “If we cut off the heads two more will replace them.”

“So what if we don’t cut off the heads?” Panga asked. “Jadin and I can slash them with our blades. That should just put them to sleep.”

“It’s worth trying,” Evan agreed. “Jadin go with Alectra to the east, Panga with me to the west. Eric and Trace keep it entertained here. Alectra and I will provide you with cover while you attack the heads furthest from the body.”

Once in position, Evan attacked the heads directly drawing their attention. He was careful not to use his claws against them. His solid punches stunning them slightly, not weakening them enough to stop them from trying to make him dinner. Alectra fired light arrows up into the eyes of the heads on her side of the beast, diverting them away from Jadin who approached the furthest head bringing her sword down on the neck. Evan watched as the head slouched down reacting as if Jadin had cut it off. A benefit of Merlin’s magical blades being that while they wouldn’t cause physical wounds, the target would feel it as if they had. Unfortunately, with the hydra, this worked against them.

“Panga, get back. Don’t try cutting off the head,” Evan called out to her as he watched the head Jadin had attacked lift back up, a second head growing beside it as if Jadin had removed it. Their seven-headed monster now was nine heads strong. Panga stood beside him breathing heavily as they retreated out of reach of the hydra. At about the center of the monster, Trace and Eric stood together. Over 20 feet away from them stood Jadin and Alectra.

“We’re not going to beat this thing,” Evan concluded. “Alectra,” he called across to them, his eyes though meeting Jadin’s, “follow the east shore. Trace, fly Eric over the hydra and the lake. Panga and I will meet you all at the army.” He tried to put as much confidence into his words, but doubt plagued his thoughts.

“I’ve never flown with anyone before,” Trace said, worry in his voice.

“You can do it,” Evan answered him. “Stretch your ionization field around Eric and yourself. Eric, place a force field around you both to protect you from the hydra.”

“I’m really getting tired of practicing new things on the fly,” Eric said. “I never thought I’d miss training sessions at Haven.”

“Be safe,” Jadin called back to them her eyes meeting all of them as Alectra grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the hydra.

Evan hesitated long enough to watch Trace and Eric fly over the hydra as its head’s snapped angrily at them. As he and Panga raced away following the west shoreline Evan was plagued by mixed emotions. In one part of his mind, he was afraid he had made a tragic mistake. Together, they could not defeat the hydra and he did not know what other dangers still awaited them. It was entirely possible they may not all make it to Darnexes’ army. If that happened Evan wouldn’t be able to forgive himself. The other part of his mind was extremely confident. Their time in Arthur’s land had strengthened them. They had faced dangers and triumphed over every one of them. Eric and Trace were two of their strongest members. Jadin and Alectra were the strongest willed women that Evan knew. Evan felt sorry for anything that stood in their way.

CHAPTER 4: JADIN

Jadin and Alectra raced along the lake shore away from the hydra. Despite the danger, Jadin’s thoughts never left her friends. She hated being separated from them not knowing if they would all meet at Darnexes’ army. When they couldn’t run any further they collapsed exhausted and Jadin broke down in tears. Alectra came over to her resting Jadin’s head on her chest and running her fingers soothingly through her hair. How many times had she done this for her?

When Jadin had first arrived at Haven as a 15-year-old girl, she was a shell of the person she had been before her ability manifested. A year of randomly affecting people with ecstasy or emotional pain would do that to a person. She had been shy and withdrawn, keeping to herself, and wincing in fear if anyone came to close to her. Her ability seemed closely tied to her own emotional state. She was most likely to affect a person when she was elated or subjected to stress. The first person she affected was a boy she was dancing with at a school dance. He had to be restrained by chaperones due to acting out with an ecstatic reaction. Then there was the attempted mugger she had left on the ground confessing to the motivation for his crimes.

Alectra had been there for her from the beginning. Comforting her as she was doing now when she had a bad day and always reassuring her that things would get better. She patiently kept talking to her, getting her to laugh again, and in due time open up to others. She had done more for Jadin in a few short months than Evan’s training sessions had done for her in three years. She regained her bubbly, outgoing personality, engaging sense of humor, and her ease with strangers.

“It’s going to be alright,” Alectra told her. “We will make it to Darnexes and when we do, everyone will be there waiting for us. Together we’re going to defeat his army and then Dionysus will send us home.”

Jadin listened to her friend’s voice until she fell asleep. When she woke up she looked around. They were back in a broadleaf forest and the lake was nowhere to be seen. The sun was rising. Gentle rays of sunlight were just penetrating the forest canopy and when Jadin looked up she could still see the moon and stars above her. She looked over at Alectra who appeared to be reviewing their map.

“Where are we?” Jadin asked her.

“We’re about three miles east of the lake,” Alectra told her. “In case you’re wondering, no, the map won’t show us where everyone else is. It’s still going to take us a few days before we reach Darnaxes.”

They ate their breakfast listening to the songs of the birds as they greeted the sun. Alectra led them through the forest as they began their day. They watched squirrels race along the forest floor before bounding up the nearest tree. Chattering at them all the while. Things gratefully remained peaceful with only the traditional forest animals crossing their path as opposed to the mythological monster. Their hands would go to their weapons anytime they heard an unfamiliar sound all the same. Around sunset, they came across a clearing. In front of them, a sandy beach spread out before their eyes. The sounds of gentle waves crashing on the shore filled their ears. Despite the calm scene, Alectra drew her bow and nocked a light arrow into it.

“What is it?” Jadin asked her, as she drew her sword.

“Look at the map,” Alectra told her. “The ocean shouldn’t be here.”

As Jadin checked her map, Alectra was right. They should still be in the middle of the forest. As she looked around the scenery was more out of place. They appeared to be in the center of a valley with snowcapped mountains on either side. The forest was still at their back. The sun shone down through the trees bathing them in rays of sunlight. As Jadin looked over at Alectra, she found the rays shone around her friend in such a way that she glowed like an angel.

“It’s romantic,” Jadin whispered.

As it should be, a disembodied voice spoke in Jadin’s head. Welcome to the home of Eros, God of Love.

CHAPTER 5: ERIC

Eric had come to a decision. The next flight he took would be in first-class accommodations. As Trace flew them over the lake, his ionization field left Eric with the sensation that every nerve in his body was on fire. He was sure as soon as they landed he would walk around in a circle for an hour like a wind-up toy. He wondered if this was what it was like for Trace every time he flew or if he was immune to the effect. Eric looked down at the water, happy to see that no other creatures were rising up from the depths. Trace didn’t bring them back down until they were well past the lake, carefully weaving them through the canopy of the forest until they rested on the grassy floor.

As soon as they landed they both collapsed to the ground. Eric shut down his force field, breathing heavily as if he had just run a marathon. Trace wasn’t in any better shape. They both had exerted themselves well beyond their limits and shortly after sleep consumed them. Any concerns about their safety would have to wait. They would just have to hope that nothing would disturb them or otherwise make their stay in this land an early exit.

When Eric’s eyes finally opened, the sun was already high in the sky. Trace was still asleep beside him so Eric let him rest while he scouted their surroundings. For someone who had never carried a passenger the kid had done well and deserved a little extra breather. A short while later, the two of them shared a meal.

“Ready to get going?” Eric asked Trace.

“Yeah, just give me a minute,” Trace answered as he went over to a downed tree. He placed his hands on the wood and absorbed the material, reducing it to dust.

As the two of them moved through the forest Trace was looking down at his hand where electrical charges danced between his fingers. He appeared more absorbed in thought and distracted than what Eric was used to seeing in him.

“Have you thought about what Dionysus said?” he suddenly asked Eric.

“Only the part where it’s up to us to save a bunch of Gods,” Eric said.

“What about us being demigods?” Trace asked him. “Wouldn’t it explain how we can do this,” he said, releasing a low voltage lightning bolt at the nearest tree.

“Makes as much sense as any other theory we’ve heard,” Eric said, somewhat dismissively.

“I never knew my dad. My mom died before she ever could tell me about him. Why couldn’t I be the son of Zeus?”

“I know both my parents. They’re good people, but there’s nothing godly about either of them.”

“Maybe, the Gods don’t physically sleep with mortals,” Trace pressed on. “Maybe they, I don’t know, possess one parent or the other and pass on their gifts that way.”

“What I do know is all this conversation will do is leave us both with one massive headache.”

They continued their march through the forest into darkness when Trace suddenly lifted off the ground hovering in the air above Eric.

“Don’t you hear that?” he asked Eric.

“Hear what?” Eric asked a light white glow emanating from his fist.

“Someone’s calling for help,” Trace said, flying off toward whatever sound he was hearing forcing Eric to chase after him.

As the two of them came to a stop, Trace still hovering over Eric’s left shoulder; he was really wishing Trace didn’t have such good hearing.

“Thank you for responding to my call,” the beast in front of them said calmly. “I need your help with… hunger.”

CHAPTER 6: PANGA

Panga was laying back staring up at the stars and moon. Despite this being about a month since they had all been whisked away from Haven, Panga still hadn’t gotten used to these camp outs. She really wished she had asked Dionysus for a magical pop-up tent before he had skipped out on them. That would have been the least he could do if he wanted them to preserve his worship base. Despite that, she couldn’t deny how beautiful the sky looked without either light or general pollution.

“It’s quiet,” Panga said.

“Yeah, it reminds me of my cub scout camping trips when I was little,” Evan said from a short distance beside her.

Panga rested her head on her hand propped up on an elbow as she turned on her side to face him. “In all the years we’ve known each other you never told me you were a cub scout, but I was talking about in my head. It’s been years since I’ve only had one other person’s emotions in my head. Maybe since the quiet rooms.”

They designed the quiet rooms in Haven for people like her. Empaths, telepaths, and people with heightened senses. When inside one of the rooms, at its highest setting, Panga couldn’t sense the emotion of another person outside of the room, even with the door left open.

“You’ve come a long way from the non-functional, 16-year-old girl that I brought to Haven from that mental hospital,” Evan said.

“I had a good teacher.”

“You were my first student.”

It had been six years since a 22-year-old Evan had convinced the doctors at the mental hospital he could provide Panga with the treatment she needed. Panga didn’t hold any ill will towards the facility; their medicines couldn’t do anything for a girl whose head was crowded with the emotions of anyone near her. It was only at Haven, under Evan’s tutelage, that she learned how to place emotions in the background and be able to rejoin a world she had been apart from since her abilities first manifested when she was 14.

“You’re worried about the others,” Panga said as she looked over at Evan.

“Are you looking into my emotions?” Evan asked her.

“No, I know you.”

“I know what they’re capable of, but I’m responsible for them. It’s still a long way to Darnexes for something to go wrong.”

“Trust them,” Panga said. “When we get to Darnexes, they will be there waiting for us. I’m sure of it.”

She reached her fist out to Evan as she had done that first night in Arthur’s land. “Get some sleep. We need to make sure we get to Darnexes first, everything else will work itself out.”

Evan smiled back at her as he reached out bumping fists with her. His smile was something she never got tired of seeing. She lay back down and took her own advice, drifting off to sleep.

CHAPTER 7: ALECTRA AND JADIN

For once, Alectra was thankful that Aaron was not with her. Even if he was, she would still be staring at Eros as the God shimmered into existence in front of her and Jadin. His brown hair was cut short and neatly combed. He stood about equal in height to her and looked to be about 18 years old. His soft, almond brown eyes seemed to pierce into her soul and his lips… Alectra was sure she was blushing just thinking about them. He wore a similar white one-piece outfit to what Dionysus wore though without sleeves and extending just halfway above his knees leaving much of his perfect skin exposed. Every muscle in his body was perfectly sculpted, but not so powerful as to distract from his features. Across his back was slung a bow and a quiver full of arrows. So stunning was his natural features, Alectra had almost ignored his wings. They spread from his back giving him an approximate six-foot wingspan and extended the length of his waist with a beautiful, golden full plumage. Alectra wasn't sure if Eros had a significant other, but she knew what other women thought of her. Witch, though she doubted they would start the word with a W.

You are wondering if Aaron is waiting for you, Eros spoke in Alectra’s mind, his lips not moving in the slightest.

“What do you know about him and why don’t you speak aloud?” Alectra asked.

Love speaks to the heart and to each person individually.

“And what do you know of Aaron?”

He is concerned for you and hopes for your safe return. He will be there for you when you return.

“Is he the one for me? Do he and I have a future together?”

I see the immediate affairs of the heart. What awaits the two of you, you will have to find for yourself.

Jadin had felt like an eavesdropper on a phone conversation. She could hear Alectra’s words, but what the God was saying to her she didn’t know. To give them some privacy, she walked off to the seashore and watched the waves lap up on the sand. When she turned back to where Alectra was standing it shocked her to see the God of Love standing before her.

You believe you will never find a love of your own, Eros said.

“Who’s going to love someone who does what I do to people? Sure, they might be attracted to me, but what happens when I lose control of my ability and affect them? Who can still love me after that?” Jadin asked him.

Are people truly so shallow? True love sees you for who you are not what you can do.

“Easy for you to say.”

You will find your love when you are least expecting it, and when you are least looking for it.

With those words, Eros disappeared taking the ocean and mountains with him. Jadin and Alectra were once again surrounded by the forest.

CHAPTER 8: TRACE

Trace remained hovering just above the beast, a strange mixture of deer and lion. Its body and legs were that of a deer with cloven hooves and short brown fur coat. The beast snarled at them, its lions head filled with sharp serrated teeth and alert blue eyes, a thick lion’s mane covered its neck and along the shoulders of its front legs. Trace lacked Evan's encyclopedic knowledge of Greek monsters so he was unsure of its proper name. Deer-lion would have to suffice.

The deer-lion roared and charged at Trace and Eric spurring them both into action. They released lightning and concussive blasts against the beast which it darted around easily, quickly closing the gap between it and Eric, forcing Eric to place a force shield between them. The beast lashed out against it with teeth and its front hooves attempting to break it down. Trace released another lightning bolt against the deer-lion that it nimbly leaped away from. The beast circled around the two of them a look of resentment fastened on Trace for denying him his prey. Both Eric and Traces hand’s crackled with energy as the two foes sized each other up.

“If it's food you need we can help with that,” Eric said. “How about a nice rack of lamb, or maybe a ham? Perhaps barbeque ribs? You haven’t lived until you’ve had barbeque ribs.”

“Your offer is generous,” the deer-lion answered, “but I find there is nothing more succulent than the taste of human flesh.”

Eric looked up at Trace. “You know, one of these days, we really need to encounter someone who appreciates diplomacy.”

Apparently, the deer-lion had enough of conversation. It lunged at Eric, effortlessly dodging around another attack of concussive blasts and lightning bolts. Eric reestablished his force field, this time not waiting for the beast to attempt to break it down. He extended the force field outward pushing the creature away from him. The deer-lion flew through the air and landed feet away from them on its side. Before Trace’s lightning bolts could connect with it the creature leaped to its feet and gracefully danced around them as Trace landed beside Eric. Its lips curled back in a snarl along with a menacing growl. Trace watched it carefully, waiting for its next attack. Despite its repeated attacks, and the energy needed to avoid their counterattacks, it didn’t appear to be tiring in the slightest.

“Any ideas on how we’re going to beat this thing?” Eric asked him.

“You’re asking me?” Trace asked in return.

“Oh, how I miss Evan,” Eric said almost as a whisper.

As the deer-lion charged at them once again, Trace’s survival instincts took over, he darted to his left, away from the creature before unleashing a bolt of lightning that finally struck the monster in its flank. The beast howled in anger and pain and turned on Trace, Eric completely ignored. Trace heard Eric hurling insults at the deer-lion, trying to get its attention, but now it was just the two of them. They fought a deadly dance, Trace firing lightning bolts at the monster as it charged him repeatedly. Eric sent volleys of concussive blasts at the monster which it easily evaded, but it never turned its attention from Trace. Trace’s instincts continued to guide him through the duel. He effortlessly evaded the beast’s hooves and teeth with little thought, just as he had done when faced with the copy of Lord Defoe in Arthur's land. Despite the copy’s enhanced speed, Trace evaded him as easily as the beast he fought now. Where the deer-lion had easily escaped his lightning bolts before, Trace now connected repeatedly. His flanks, his back legs, his face. Finally, he unleashed a high voltage blast that struck the beast between the eyes. It collapsed at his feet. Trace wasn’t sure if it had been enough to kill him, but given that he was a man-eater he didn’t think that would be much to concern himself with.

“Dude, how did you do that?” Eric asked him, amazed as he ran over to his side.

“I just hit him with a full charge lightning bolt is all,” Trace said calmly. “You’ve seen me do that before.”

“No,” Eric clarified. “I mean the way you were moving. I couldn’t even see you at times. One second you were here and the next over here.” He gestured with an open hand with his left then his right as he spoke to demonstrate his meaning.

“You mean I was moving at super speed?” Trace asked, genuinely surprised.

“You didn’t know?”

“No. I knew I was acting on instinct, I never considered I was moving any faster than normal.”

“We should get moving. We still have a long way to go.”

“Right, just one last thing.”

Trace decided he wasn’t taking any chances. He channeled his lightning in a continuous charge into the beast leaving it vaporized.

CHAPTER 9: EVAN

After another two days journey, Evan wasn’t happy about approaching a second lake. Especially, not at sunset when the sun had gone down low enough it was more dark than light. When he looked up he saw just a hint of the moon and stars. It would weaken their vision and they wouldn’t be as easily aware of any hidden dangers. He hadn’t forgotten their battle with the hydra, but Panga had been insistent.

“I’m not going any further without a bath. I don’t care if Nessie’s waiting for us, we’re going.”

Nessie was not waiting for them, but an unexpected sight greeted them all the same. Drinking from the lake was the most majestic horse that Evan had ever seen. He didn’t know the proper terminology, but he estimated the horse stood at least six feet tall with a perfectly chiseled head on a long neck. It had graceful long legs with a perfectly white coat. It had a full-length tail that extended to its knees.

Despite attempting to approach the lake quietly without disturbing it, the horse pricked its ears and looked in their direction. Evan was certain it was looking directly at Panga before it trotted over and gently pressed its muzzle into her chest.

“Hi,” Panga said softly as she reached up to stroke the horse between the ears. “Hungry?” she asked, as she reached into her bag and pulled out a frosted doughnut as white as the horse’s coat. The horse sniffed at it before shaking its head.

“Right, that’s more my breakfast,” Panga said, as she reached back in and pulled out a handful of sugar cubes.

The horse accepted the sugar, carefully eating them from Panga’s hand, and nudging her with his nose when he finished them. She reached back into her bag and removed an apple. As the horse chewed the apple, he flapped his wings. Yes, wings. They must have folded back perfectly against his body for Evan not to have seen them before. They extended about 3 feet to each side of his body giving him a six-foot wingspan and extended over the length of his body with brilliant, white plumage.

“He’s a Pegasus,” Evan said awed.

“What’s that?” Panga asked.

“I said he’s a Pegasus.”

“No,” Panga clarified for him, “I thought I heard the horse say that you have a talent for stating the obvious.”

“I didn’t hear anything.”

“Okay, I’m sorry. Pegasus,” Panga said to the Pegasus then turned her attention to Evan. “He says only I can hear him and that his name is Snow Wing, Crown Prince of the White Pegasus Herd.”

“Really, I’m Sir Evan of Haven, Knight of the Round Table,” Evan said, using the title Arthur had granted him.

Snow Wing snorted in reply.

“He’s not impressed,” Panga translated for him.

“So will he let you ride him?”

Snow Wing let out a shrill whistle and shook his head violently.

“Okay, I’m not translating that part, but he says Pegasi don’t let people ride them. Pegasi choose their riders, riders don’t choose their Pegasus. He has chosen me though.” She gently stroked her fingers along Snow Wing’s forehead as she said that.

Snow Wing snorted again looking over at Mercury who rested on his perch on Evan’s forearm.

“He also says to keep the buzzard away from him.”

Mercury let out a shrill cry at those words.

“His words, not mine,” Panga told the falcon.

“You can understand Mercury now too?” Evan asked surprised.

“No,” Panga said exasperatedly, “I just don’t think he liked being called a buzzard.”

CHAPTER 10: ALECTRA

Following Eros’ departure, Alectra and Jadin made their camp for the night. What could be safer in Ancient Greece than the home of a God? At daylight, they resumed their journey. They walked in near silence, neither of them discussing their conversations with the God of love. Alectra didn’t want to get her hopes up. To speak about Aaron would make what Eros said real. She wasn’t ready to be disappointed.

So deep in thought were both of them, they barely noticed a rustling sound coming from behind a tree a few paces ahead of them. A man of about middle age stepped from behind it brandishing a short bronze sword. He wore what was becoming the traditional white one-piece outfit with elbow length sleeves and extending halfway above his knees. Over it, he wore a loose-fitting brown cloak attached at the neck with a yellow broach. He wore a straw broad-brimmed hat low over his eyes.

“Now, what would two young ladies like yourselves be doing traveling these woods unescorted?” he asked, clear menace in his voice.

Jadin and Alectra drew their weapons. Alectra nocked a fear arrow into her bow. She wasn’t sure how they were understanding him. Perhaps, Dionysus’ universal translation followed them the same way the map did.

“We don’t want any trouble,” Alectra said.

“I’m afraid that can’t be avoided.”

As the man put his fingers to his lips and whistled, similarly dressed men sprung from behind trees both in front of them and from the direction from which they came. Others dropped out from low branches of the trees. Some bandits carried swords similar to their leader others were armed with simple bows. They wouldn’t have the range of Alectra’s, but they would be just as deadly. Jadin turned to face those behind them as the girls found themselves surrounded.

“Why don’t you put those down,” the leader said, condescendingly. “We wouldn’t want to harm those pretty faces. Do you even know how to use them?”

Alectra turned to meet Jadin’s eyes. She knew the grin on Jadin’s face was mirrored on her own. The unspoken message was clear. Oh, this will be fun.

As Jadin charged her opponents, they caught the bandits so much by surprise the archers didn’t even have time to take a shot. Jadin engaged the swordsmen in close combat preventing the archers from risking an attack for fear of hitting their own men. Alectra fired her arrow towards the leader who ducked away from it, but he wasn’t her target. Her fear arrow connected with the archer behind him who dropped his bow and turned from the fight. Alectra shouldered her bow, releasing a series of blue depression arrows and fear arrows from her fingertips at the archers removing them from contention. She reached into her quiver and pulled out two light arrows and faced down the swordsmen on her half of the conflict. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Jadin drop one of her foes before reaching over to touch another. The last Alectra saw of him before turning her full focus to the battle at hand was him running off into the forest as if he was chasing butterflies. From his reaction, Alectra suspected Jadin had affected him with ecstasy. She wasn’t sure if she could use her light arrows as melee weapons. Traditional shafts would be sliced apart with ease by a sword of any era. This wouldn’t be her plan, but she had learned in Arthur’s lands she could use the light arrows as weapons without being fired from her bow. As Alectra approached the swordsmen, she dodged their blows before thrusting a light arrow into their chests, reaching back effortlessly to replace one spent arrow with another. Bodies of the fallen gathered at her feet as they fell sound asleep. Alectra smiled as she found the bandit’s leader as the last man standing. She reached out with her hand connecting him with one of her fear arrows.

There were two ways in which Alectra could apply her ability. The first was in successive arrows each one amplifying the emotional effect of the given arrow. The second was more like a Taser, channeling the emotion directly into her victim.

This was the choice she made for the bandit leader. She funneled fear into him taking him from the desire to run to paralyzing terror. He fell to his knees, his eyes wide and his body shaking uncontrollably. His hands clenched into fists.

Alectra looked over at Jadin who was just now sheathing her sword. Bandits littered the ground around her.

“I don’t think he will threaten anyone soon.”

CHAPTER 11: ERIC

“So, we’re not going to let this pass, are we?” Eric asked.

“Wouldn’t be right if we did,” Trace answered.

It had been two uneventful days since they had left the deer-lion behind. Two very nice days with no danger or fear-inducing situations. That was bound to end and today was that day. Eric and Trace stood behind two trees looking into the first village they had found on their journey. It was comprised of two-story mudbrick houses, but its citizens had been rounded up into the central square where open-air shops were located. Surrounding them were armored soldiers with diagonal shields and spears aimed at their prisoners. Other soldiers were rummaging through the houses and shops confiscating anything that may have been of use. Eric scanned his map noting that Darnaxes’ army was closer, maybe about three days away. He suspected this might be an advance force sent ahead of the army to resupply the troops.

“How are we going to pull this off?” Eric asked.

“Again, you’re asking me?”

“Remind me never to challenge another of Evan’s orders,” Eric said, pointing a finger at Trace. “Do you think you could take down the guards restraining the people?”

“I could, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to have live electricity around innocents.”

“Good point, I’ll handle the guards you take the pillagers.”

“So we go in guns blazing then?”

“Mr. Impulsive is actually asking me that? Unless you have a more subtle plan.”

“No,” Trace said, lightning dancing through both hands. “Let’s do this.” Trace launched into the air and flew into the village, releasing lightning bolts to stun the two nearest pillagers.

“That’s more what I expected,” Eric said, as he raced into the town sending concussive blasts at the guards dropping two before the others turned their attention to him.

Four of the soldiers sprinted toward him throwing their spears in his direction. Eric used his concussive blasts to knock three of the spears out of the air and breathed a sigh of relief as the other one landed just to his right. The soldiers drew their swords as they approached Eric forcing him to place a forces shield between them. As they hacked at his shield with their swords, Eric extended it outward throwing the soldiers back. Before they could regroup Eric stunned them with his concussive blasts.

“Release the hounds,” a soldier called from behind the prisoners.

“What do they think Copper’s going to do?” Eric asked looking up at Trace. “Gnaw at our ankles?”

“Nah, I think they’re just going to use us as chew toys,” Trace answered, as three hounds bounded into the courtyard.

The hellhounds, because that must be what they were, were as big as the houses. Their shaggy fur blended into the surroundings making them difficult for Eric to make out, but as they moved, the fur flowed as if made of shadow. The paws alone were as large as Eric was tall with claws that would shred Eric like cheese. Their dagger-like teeth would only have made his death more painful as the hounds’ mouths were large enough to swallow him whole. Their red eyes were like spotlights as they focused in on Eric and Trace with deep growls that rumbled like thunder.

“This way!” Trace called as he flew back into the forest.

“As smart as this seems, why exactly are we running away?” Eric asked as he followed him. The hellhounds barking after them as they chased them.

“To protect the people and the village,” Trace informed him as he turned midair releasing bolts of lightning against each of the hounds.

Eric turned and sent volleys of his most intense concussive blasts against the dogs who merely shook their heads in frustration. “How are we going to beat these things?” he asked.

“Hit them as hard as we can and not let them get to us,” Trace answered.

As the hounds leaped at them, Trace and Eric unleashed concussive blasts and lightning against them to no avail. Trace darted around the open jaws circling back around behind the hound’s, one of them turning to chase after him. Eric put up a force field just in time as a hound slapped him with a paw sending him flying through two trees. One tree fell forward taking its revenge on the hound by breaking over its head. Eric staggered to his feet, surprised to be standing, conscious, and with no broken bones. Thank God, for new lessons on the strength of concussive force fields. Eric refocused on the hellhounds who were advancing on him. He unleashed a steady volley of his most intense concussive blasts he could generate, each hand targeting a different hellhound, hitting them repeatedly on the forehead. They whimpered in pain and stumbled after him. Eric was grateful to see them showing some reaction to his concussive blasts. It gave him mild optimism to be able to defeat them, but he hoped he could do that before they exhausted his energies. Eric dodged around another attempt to swat him, ducking under the claws, and sending a concussive blast into the hound’s snout knocking away its effort to chomp him in two.

Eric raced further back into the forest hoping the trees might slow the massive dogs down. One hellhound worked his way through the trees, but they hampered him. Eric turned on him, channeling a rapid series of concussive blasts against the hound hitting it in the head, the body, and his knees. The hellhound stumbled and collapsed. Eric took a chance and moved closer to the dog, hitting it repeatedly in the head with concussive blasts. The hellhound fell forward its eyes closing in sleep. Eric breathed a sigh of relief as he pushed back towards the forest pursuing the second hellhound. The two met each other, Eric feeling foolish for racing at a giant dog of death, but he could deliver more damage closer he was. He was breathing heavily now, and he didn’t how much longer he could hold his own. He needed to bring an end to this conflict and soon. The hound lowered his head mouth open wide. Eric released a rapid volley of concussive blasts right into his mouth. The concussive blasts impacted the back of his mouth knocking the hellhound to the ground. Eric channeled concussive blasts right between his ears and the dog fell.

“Trace,” Eric shouted to his friend. “Where are you?”

“Here,” Trace called from somewhere off to his left.

Eric ran to him finding Trace standing over the last hellhound his eyes clouded over showing just how exhausted he was. Still, the two of them weren’t done yet. There were still the citizens of the village to rescue. As they returned to the village Persians, with shields and spears held at the ready met them. Trace flew into the city before landing on the other side of the units holding the townspeople hostage. Eric held the attention of those at the city line, unleashing a volley of concussive blasts knocking each soldier down. Eric slowly walked into the city, a light glow in his hand looking for any further enemies. He found no opposition as he reached the townspeople. Trace sat on the ground behind them his head lulled back against a shop booth.

“Your welcome,” Eric said, before falling unconscious.

fantasy
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