“Be careful, Cristos,” Hades warned, staring me in the eye. “I won’t try to stop you, because I know what going after Phoenix means to you. Arsenio shared his worries with me last night, and I have to say I agree with him. Watch your back. If you need any help, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you.” Sincere, I smiled, sighing once more. “I’m glad I was able to help you, too. If my father had known it would be so easy, I don’t think he would have refused to help.”
“Maybe.” A shadow crossed over his face at the mention of Zeus, but it vanished as soon as he looked back at Katrina. “Either way, I finally got what I wanted.”
“Only time will tell how dark a desire it turned out to be,” Katrina added softly, her brush moving through Hero’s mane with ease. She only had eyes for the Lord of the Dead, though, and in that moment, I finally felt like I’d done the right thing in helping restore Katrina.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Cristos
Snow crunched under the hooves of the horse as I rode out of the hidden maze of tunnels that led away from the Underworld. It was unclear what awaited me when it came to Phoenix, but I knew I at least had to try. The demi-Titan hadn’t killed me yet; maybe there was a chance at reasoning with her.
Closing my eyes briefly, I summoned up a memory of my zoi mou, her long brown hair fanning out over her shoulders and across a pillow as she lay on the bed. It was a picture from our time on the boat, as we’d sailed toward Sicily, hoping to draw the Titans out at Mount Etna. Her eyes shone as they looked at me, a smile on her lips, my name hanging in the air between us. It was more than easy to remember the way her lips had felt on mine, the weight of her body in my hands, the smell of her as she cuddled up against me.
The memory quickly turned sour, though, as I picture Phoenix taking her place, destroying everything Avalon had been and ever would be. Because of the monster, Avalon would never be a doctor. She would never see her mother again, like she’d so desperately wanted, and she would never go back home.
She might not ever be in control of her own body again, either.
Angry, I opened my eyes, nudging the horse along faster. I’d spent a lot of time thinking about Phoenix lately, trying to deduce what my best course of action would be. It was clear that she’d had issues with her father, which led to her killing him with her bare hands. She’d shown no interest in obtaining the weapons the Titans had used, which suggested she didn’t think she needed them to win the war.
Forcing an image of the woman into my mind, I pushed aside her similarities to Avalon and tried to only examine Phoenix. She believed she was some great creature, born from the ashes of what had held her back. On top of that, she saved every single being that promised to join her in her quest. Why was she painting herself as a savior type? I’d heard her say with my own ears that she wanted peace. The only issue was that she wanted to destroy everyone who stood against her to get it.
There were also, of course, her anger issues. She was quick to erupt, like the lava that made her. Arsenio had mentioned an event so catastrophic, he felt it was a miracle he survived. I’d yet to see her display such power, which was worrying. What I’d witnessed had seemed overpowered already. What else could she possibly have up her sleeve?
Phoenix wasn’t stupid either, despite her youth and inexperience. She had a mind that was made for planning and executing, as well as strength that caught even me off guard. Avalon had been able to access the Titan’s powers, but she’d never even touched on the drive and passion of the being. When Phoenix spoke, I didn’t doubt that she absolutely believed she would do what she said. If she hadn’t been threatening the lives of my family and holding the woman I loved hostage, I may have even been swayed to join her in her quest for “peace.”
Another memory of Avalon pushed its way to the front of my mind, her voice like a bell in my head.
“I don’t want to be a monster,” she’d said, fear in her voice. “I can’t be. Promise me, Cristos, that you’ll always help me keep her under control. No matter the cost.”
“No matter the cost,” I’d repeated. “I swear.”
Breathing deeply, the words bouncing around in my head like artillery shells, I focused on the trail in front of me. It hadn’t been hard to find out where Phoenix and her army were stationed. She would be somewhere that others could freely travel to, in order to fulfill her request for them to join her. The place would also be a show of power and a testament to what she claimed to stand for. Combining those things with what I knew about the monster, I’d made a guess and hoped I would be right.
Now, riding towards the ashy ruins of Sicily, Mount Etna in the background, it appeared that my guess had paid off. There were trails from all sorts of Titans and beasts, each leading into the rubble on the coast. Smoke still rose from the remains, the sight of the bomb hitting the city still burned into my mind.
Already, I knew I was being watched. I could feel the eyes on my back, even though there was nothing to suggest danger to me. The snow and ash smothered everything with silence and hid everything from view, almost giving off a comforting feeling of solitude. Still, carefully reaching into my bag, I pulled the white banner Arsenio had rounded up out of the sack and held it over my head as a sign of truce.
Slowly, the faces began to appear, growing in number as I entered the actual city. They were bloody and fierce, some jeering at me as I rode by. Titans, beasts, mythological creatures that had long been locked away from the outside world, and even Olympians looked down on me. It felt more like I was in an arena, the forms appearing out of the smoke and dust, peering around bricks and overturned vehicles. A dull roar started to grow in the crowd, shouts assailing my ears as I passed through the streets. At one point, several bricks were thrown in the road in front of me, causing me to have to pick another path to go down. Eventually, I realized they were leading me to her, wherever she might be.
Finally, the destruction cleared away to form a large circle. At the head of it sat a giant pile of stones, stacked so high the sun blinded me from the very top. Shading my eyes, I winced, looking into the light.
Phoenix hovered over the makeshift tower, her hands held out, welcoming everyone as she smiled triumphantly over her followers. Where I had been reviled and shamed by their cries, she was praised and thanked, their hands outstretched toward her. Her furs ruffled in the breeze, hair braided and tossed over her shoulder. White wings, aglow with light, seemed to shine with heavenly light, creating a type of halo effect around her person. Slowly, she descended out of the light, settling onto an outcropping just over my head.
“Adrastia,” she called, her voice echoing through the space as everyone else fell completely silent. “Cristos, Prince of Olympus, Avenger of the Gods, and Son of Zeus.” Her lips curled into a cruel smile as she went on, naming my many titles. “Traitor, Exile, Outcast. No One.”
Some of the crowd laughed, hurling a few insults my way before she held up her hand. Quiet washed through the circle once more, her calculating eyes studying me carefully. There was no trace of the being I’d spoken with in the Underworld, who had declared she loved me as Avalon did. Gone was the vengeful demon that had murdered her father in the labyrinth, as well. Instead, she seemed every bit the level headed leader she claimed to be, holding her people’s love and loyalty with all the ease of blinking.
“Why have you come here?” she finally asked, folding her wings behind her back and crossing her arms. “Have you reconsidered my offer to join us?”
“You have something I want,” I replied, making sure to speak loud enough for everyone to hear. “I’ve come to make a deal and get it back.”
“A bold move.” Raising an eyebrow, she gestured to those in attendance. “There are many here who would not even hesitate to kill you, yet you ride in here and demand that we meet your needs. What could have possessed you to do such a thing? Surely you would know that you would die before any of them make an agreement with you.”
“I’m not here to
barter with them.” Annoyed that she was putting on such a show of interviewing me, I balled the white banner up and threw it on the ground in front of me. “I challenge you to a duel, just me and you. If I win, you relinquish your power back to Avalon and call off this war.”
“Why would I do that?” She did laugh then, glancing to each side as the crowd roared with her. When they finally started calming down, she stared at me expectantly, as if she relished nothing more than hearing my answer.
Taking a steadying breath, I looked around knowing that as soon as I answered, I wouldn’t be able to take it back. “I will fight for peace in your place,” I finally said, trying not to laugh at the complete silence that my statement was met with. “If you truly only want a world where these wars and deaths do not occur, let me work to get it for you. I am the son of Zeus. I have the most sway out of anyone here to achieve such an action.”
Turning in a circle, slowly, I addressed the others as well, doing my best to sound encouraging and hopeful. “You are tired and beaten. Why bring more battle into the picture? Give me Avalon back and you will have an Olympian and a demi-Titan working to secure your freedoms.
“I know many of you have no reason to trust me. I was the one who locked you away in the first place. But believe me when I say there is nothing I wouldn’t do for Avalon, including lobbying for your rights as immortal beings and intelligent creatures.”
Facing Phoenix once more, I fell silent, waiting for her response. Anger burned in her gaze, her nose twitching with displeasure at my statement, as I’d known would happen. I’d just undermined her in front of her entire army, promising to give them what they wanted without any of the work she was requiring of them. Of course, what I’d offered would be next to impossible to get, especially after everything my father had been through to capture his enemies, but it was still a viable option now.
“And if I win?” she finally asked, her tone deadly.
Frowning, I took another deep breath. “I’m yours. Whatever you wish, no matter the cost.”
A rustle moved through the crowd at that, some cries of anger and dismay filling the space. Looking over the creatures, Phoenix seemed to consider the proposal, her thoughts far away. The twitch in her brow made me think that she might have caught the true meaning of my words—I would kill her, no matter the cost to me, to keep my promise to Avalon. It was the only solution I could come up with if Phoenix wouldn’t relinquish the power willingly.
Suddenly, she jumped down off the tower, landing right in front of me. “It would seem that many of us do not want you here, Adrastia,” she said smoothly. “However, I will accept your offer. It is interesting that you made it at all. Who am I to pass such a rare opportunity up?” Her voice dripped with venom as she quietly addressed me, taking the reins of my horse in her hands, steadying the beast as it tried to back away from her. “You can’t have one of us without the other, Cristos. If I go, she does, too.”
“I know,” I replied, sliding from the saddle. “But you’ve given me no other choice. I can’t stand by and watch you destroy everything. It’s clear to me now that you’re not Avalon, even if she’s still tucked away somewhere in there. You’re Phoenix and you need to be taken care of, even at my own loss and heartbreak.”
Smiling, she laughed, nudging the horse off to the side of the arena. “You’re here to play, then? No more hesitating? You’re not going to help me fight my battles?”
“I was never fighting for you.” Settling into a battle stance, I drew my sword and glared at her, steeling myself for what I was going to have to do. “Everything I did was for her. You were just the unlucky addition to the picture.”
She stiffened, as if I’d slapped her, and then growled, her wings spreading open as she held her hand out to one of her minions on the sidelines. Quickly, he brought her a giant axe, the double edges shining dangerously in the light.
“Let’s finish this then.” Jumping forward, she screamed, swiping the blade down toward my head and missing as I rolled out of the way. Heat rolled off her as her skin began to glow, the flames slowly emerging and dancing across her form as she readjusted, twirling the weapon in her hands like it was a toy.
Getting my feet back under me, I charged her, dropping to my knees and narrowly avoiding another swipe at my face. Grunting, I knocked her feet out from under her, slamming my sword down through one of her wings.
Screaming, she grabbed the hilt, ripping it out of her flesh and flinging it across the circle, her touch so hot that it made the metal turn red. Swinging her hand back toward me, she slapped me, hard, sending me sprawling back.
Struggling to maintain my balance, I dodged another punch and axe swipe as she advanced on me. Without my sword, I would have to rely on my hand-to-hand combat skills, as well as my powers to win this fight.
Gathering my strength, I felt the lightning move through my veins, burning hot as I let it gather in the palm of my hand. Shooting it toward the demi-Titan, I sent off several small orbs of the electricity, zigzagging across the playing field as I did so. Phoenix dodged a few of them, but the last two hit her square in the chest, causing her to fall to her knees.
Not wanting to waste any opportunity, I fell to the ground as well, slamming my palms against the earth and sending a shockwave straight toward the monster.
Crying out as she was shocked again, Phoenix flapped her bloody wings, rising off the ground with a great amount of struggle. Her axe lay forgotten in the dust as a stream of fire rained down on me.
Burned, I hissed, rolling in the dirt to put the fire out before much damage was done. Laughter reached my ears from the spectators, but I didn’t stop to give them any more thought. I’d landed next to my sword.
Picking the blade up, I watched as Phoenix landed, retrieving her weapon as well. We stared at each other for a moment, knowing the fight could go on for several hours if we let it.
I didn’t plan on letting it.
Shouting, I charged forward, swinging my sword toward her other wing, only to have it batted away by the axe. Using the momentum to spin around, I made another pass, lower this time, which was also blocked.
Seeing an open window, she struck me in the chest, slicing down my front, the shallow cut stinging fiercely. As I cried out, she grabbed my arm, twisting it painfully until I dropped my sword.
Trying to regain my footing in the fight, I head butted her, knocking her back. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I tackled her down, wresting the axe from her. Before I could toss the weapon away, though, her fingers turned to snakes, wrapping around the hilt and jerking it back into her grasp.
Her feet were suddenly underneath me, pressing against my stomach as she kicked me off of her, blood streaming from her injured wing and her nose, where I’d punched her during our squabble on the ground.
Rolling across the ground, I grabbed a large brick, swinging it around and catching her in the face as she loomed over me. My actions were met with a swift kick to the face, the skin of my chin splitting open.
Quickly, she punched me in the head, and then again, keeping me down on the ground. If I didn’t get up soon, she would be able to hold me here, beating me until I gave in. It reminded me much of my first fight with Hades and how he’d backed me into a corner. Unfortunately for Phoenix, Hades’ training had taught me a lot since then.
Grabbing the sharpest rock I could find, I rolled again, stabbing up and sticking the stone in her side.
Screaming, she ripped it out, fire blasting down on me once more. This time, however, I managed to create a wall of lightning to stop the flames. Holding the barrier two inches from my face, I concentrated all my power on not being burned, quickly trying to think of what to do next.
Glancing over, I could see my sword, only a few feet away. If I could get it, there was a chance I could still get the upper hand and win. Phoenix was a force of brute strength to be reckoned with, but her weapons mastery was sorely lacking.
Standing up, I continued to hold the wall, moving qui
ckly to my sword. Fire still pummeled at me, the Titan giving me the full force of her firepower in an attempt to break through my shield. Little did she know, I was about to break through it myself.
Dropping the lightning, I rolled to the side, dodging the stream and sliding to her side, blade at the ready. With one fluid movement, I shoved it through her stomach, twisting it hard as she fell to her knees.
Screaming, her hands grabbed my shoulders, eyes staring into mine in horror. Suddenly, I wasn’t looking at Phoenix any more.
It was Avalon. Her teary eyes, her trembling lips, her pained voice crying out for me to stop. This was her hair that was brushing against my face, her fingers brushing along my collarbone, her heart sputtering under my cruel touch.
Freezing, not even able to breathe, I stared into her eyes, trying to remind myself why I had just done the unthinkable. My world was crashing down around me, the face of my love shattering in pain in front of me. I couldn’t move even if I tried, my heart hammering, the words I wanted to say to her not forming in my mouth.
And then the axe cut into my back. Jerking forward, everything seemed to happen in slow motion as Phoenix removed the blade from her abdomen, inserting it in my own instead. Her hands shoved me back, collapsing me on the ground. A spear, tossed to her by someone on the sidelines, stabbed through my shoulder, pinning me to the ground.
Gasping for breath, I clutched the sword in my stomach, hands shaking as I looked up at her, her face swimming in my field of vision.
“Did you really think you could win?” Her voice was cold, impassive, and unimpressed. “You could never kill Avalon. I’ve known that from day one.”
Sputtering, I felt some blood roll out of my mouth, dripping onto the ground beside me.
Phoenix looked away, at the crowd around us. “Finish him,” she said simply, turning her back on me. Opening her wings, she jumped into the sky, soaring away as her followers closed in on me.
Exoria (The God Chronicles #5) Page 16