by Drako
"So, apparently you guys already know what's going on," Andreas commented.
"Of course we know," Brandon replied. "We got the word from Gramps to get ready to back you up."
"You do understand how serious this is?" Andreas asked.
Demun rolled his eyes. "We know all about the ramifications if we fail. Cronus returns, Kalos wins, your lover's soul possibly perishes, end of the world. Trust me, we've got the point."
"That's not what I meant. Kalos showed that he's beyond what you two can do; he was far beyond Brandon, and broke his ribs. So let's make this clear." Andreas narrowed his gaze on both boys. "You are not to try to take on Kalos alone. If you are separated from me, stay together. If you encounter him, you fight together, but only to get clear. Kalos is mine, boys. I know him, I know I can take him and most importantly, I know one on one, you two can't. I won't risk your lives any more than I have to."
"We've got it. We'll steer clear of Kalos," Brandon told him. "We know our limits, we're just there to keep the small fry out of your way, and to get Kazarian out."
Andreas raised an eyebrow. "Okay, I guess that will work. But be clear, you get Kazarian, and you get the hell out. You do not want to get caught in the crossfire between me and Kalos."
Both boys nodded in agreement. Andreas' gaze softened and he gestured the boys towards him, wrapping one arm around each of them.
"You know, I have the distinct feeling you asked Father to send you two in instead of Vic, which I'm thankful for." Andreas gave them a smile. "I'm going to make sure you make it out of there unscathed. Because I know you just want to help me rescue him."
"Jeez, no need to get all mushy on us," Demun commented, clearly feeling uncomfortable.
Brandon laughed. "You figured us out. Gramps only sent us because we asked. You've been so busy protecting us. We figured the least we could do is get Kazarian out of harm's way."
"Alright, then, we move in at sunset. Be ready." Andreas released them and walked out.
Demun looked at Brandon. "Sunset is only an hour away. How the hell are we going to get to France so fast?"
Brandon shrugged. "I'm sure he has something planned. Let's just worry about our part."
On Olympus, Apollo watched over Cassandra with a frown. He wasn’t surprised when Zeus appeared beside him.
“You are tormenting yourself, my son,” Zeus said softly.
“I’m also wondering how it is that all of a sudden Artemis is allowed around her and I’m not,” Apollo replied gruffly. “I’m forced to remain here on Olympus and watch her from afar, never able to directly communicate with her. I cannot even go and return her brother to her.”
“Do you know where her brother is?” Zeus asked.
Apollo gave him a bland stare. “I created him specifically to accompany and protect her. Of course I know where he is.”
“Then why do you not send him to her?”
“Because I don’t know who’s holding him because he doesn’t know, and your wife’s law prevents me from interacting with him as well.”
“Patience, my son. In time these things will be fixed, and then Hera’s law will be lifted.” Zeus placed a hand on Apollo’s shoulder in a comforting gesture. “Good things happen to those who wait.”
“Father, I’ve waited more lifetimes than I care to remember for this.” Apollo gazed off, staring down at Cassandra again. “When will these good things happen to me?”
“Soon, Apollo, you will have the chance you desire. But for now, you must play Hera’s game.” Zeus vanished.
“I tire of her games. I want what is mine,” Apollo muttered.
Twenty Five
Kalos sat in his room with a glass of wine in hand and looking out the window at the clear night sky. How he despised Apollo for banishing him from daylight and not even his new patron could change it. But it wasn't a problem that would persist. When Cronus returned, after all, Apollo would no longer be god of light or anything else. Perhaps Cronus would grant him that honor as a reward.
Kalos smiled at the thought. He could become a god and his first order of business would be the destruction of Apollo and the Black Dragon God.
"My lord?"
Kalos glanced back at the servant that had entered his room. "What is it?"
"The prisoner is awake."
Kalos took a sip of wine. "Excellent. I'll have some fun with him shortly."
Andreas and the boys were hidden by trees surrounding Kalos' palace.
"This is it?" Brandon asked.
Andreas nodded. "Kazarian is in there. I can feel him."
"So how are we doing this?" Demun asked. "Kicking in the door sounds fun, but stupid."
"I think something bigger is in order," Andreas replied.
Brandon rolled his eyes. "I get the feeling this will potentially be just as stupid."
Andreas shrugged. "Could be, but go with it anyway. All I need you to do is stand back a bit. You'll know what to do soon enough."
Brandon and Demun exchanged a look and backed away. As they watched from a distance, black flames suddenly surrounded Andreas, eventually hiding him from view. From the flames, two large, black wings sprouted and from inside Andreas began to swell in size. The fire grew with him until the boys had to crane their necks to look up at him, though they still couldn't see the form. That is, until a long, black scaled tail shot out of the flames. The scales looked like black marble, though not the rough type of scales normal scaled animals have. Slowly, the rest of the large form came into view as the flames vanished. As he let out a huff, smoke came from his nostrils and his fangs were visible though his mouth was closed.
"Holy crap," Demun muttered.
"So, dragons really are big," Brandon commented.
Andreas turned his large blue eyes on the boys and nodded his gigantic head in the direction of the palace. He turned and flapped his wings, taking off at a surprisingly fast pace to be as large as he was.
"Maybe this won't be as stupid as we thought," Demun commented.
He and Brandon darted off after Andreas, who opened his large mouth and shot off a ball of black fire, which hit the front of the palace and blew off the door and most of the front of the building. Andreas soared up high as the boys went in through the opening he created.
Kalos was making his way down the stairs from his room when the fireball from Andreas rocked the palace. He heard the screams of his children as some were engulfed in the flames and others were just falling. He was knocked off his feet as well, and though unsure of who was attacking, it was obvious he was being attacked. He got to his feet and hastily scrambled down the stairs. Damned if he'd lose his leverage over that damn dragon. Coming into the dungeon, he rushed past the few of his children that had been down there and made a run for Kazarian's cell. As he arrived, he found the twins unchaining Kazarian and helping him to his feet. Kalos ground his teeth together and let out a hiss, alerting the boys to his presence.
"Well, the biggest jackass is here." Brandon looked over at Demun. "So, should we start this off or let Andreas handle it?"
Andreas appeared, in human form, behind Kalos.
"Damn, looks like Andreas gets all of this one," Demun answered his brother. "Let's get Kazarian out of here."
Kalos finally figured something was off and turned around, only to have Andreas backhand him across the room. He hit the ground as the boys lead Kazarian out of his cell.
"This time, it's me and you." Andreas cracked his knuckles. "And for every bruise I just thought I saw on Kazarian, I'll give you twenty more before I kill you."
Kalos sat up, wiping blood from his lip. "You got one lucky shot in. Don't think that means you can truly destroy me." He sprang to his feet. "Today, I slay a dragon."
Before he knew it, he was struck again and found himself flying across the room, hitting the cell bars. Andreas stood where he had been before.
"I suppose you thought I was as slow as my nephew was. Newsflash, I was old when you were born and I was a trained warri
or." Andreas vanished.
Kalos looked around, and threw a punch where he figured Andreas was. Andreas caught his arm and bent it backwards, forcing Kalos to howl in pain. Grabbing his head, Andreas turned and slammed him face first into the wall. He released his arm and let Kalos stagger back, only to slam his face in the wall again, successfully breaking his nose and forcing blood to gush out of it. He let Kalos stumble backwards, holding his nose while Andreas wore something resembling a grin of satisfaction.
Andreas grabbed him by the hair and shoved his face down while bringing his knee up, choosing to further aggravate the injury to Kalos' nose. Andreas spun the vampire around and tossed him headfirst through the bars of the cell. Andreas smiled as the cell caved in on itself. He walked over and grabbed one of the chains Kazarian had been bound with. He looked at it, seeing no signs of Kazarian's torture. But he could imagine.
Andreas ripped the chain from the wall and his face contorted in a scowl as he watched Kalos get up on all fours, choking on his own blood. Andreas used the chain like a whip and began beating Kalos across the back with it, causing the vampire to howl in pain as the heavy steel chain broke his ribs one by one. Eventually, Andreas stopped, raising the chain to show blood covering it. He'd beaten a lot of the skin off Kalos, but there was a strange look in his eyes as he looked down at the vampie.
"I hope you didn't think this would be a quick finish." Andreas wrapped the chain around his fist. "I'm not satisfied that this is enough pain in this life before I send you to hell."
Demun was actually carrying Kazarian out on his shoulders while Brandon took care of anyone that got in their way. They got outside rather easily. Demun put Kazarian down, sitting him up against a tree.
"So, you're Andreas' nephews?" Kazarian asked. "I've heard an awful lot about you while I was locked up down there. These guys really hate you."
Brandon smirked. "Good to know. We killed Kalos' son, so it's good they remember us."
"Yeah, now we know we don't have to introduce ourselves," Demun added.
Kazarian laughed softly. "You remind me of your uncle. He must have been with you a lot."
"On and off, yeah. He's with us permanently now though," Brandon told him.
"This is weird. You don't really have any wounds." Demun examined Kazarian a little more closely.
"I have been dead for over eleven thousand years. I feel all the pain, but I have no blood flowing through me. I am merely a soul with a corporeal form."
Brandon stood and looked back towards the palace. "This is taking a bit longer than it should. Something is up."
Demun looked up at his brother. "Can't you tell what's going on?"
Brandon closed his eyes. "From what I can tell, Andreas is just drawing it out, inflicting extra damage. He could have killed him while we were standing there."
"That's not like Andreas," Kazarian commented.
"No, it's not. It leaves an opportunity for Kalos to escape." Brandon frowned. "I think one of us needs to go back in."
"Are you really willing to catch crap for going back in when he told us our only job is to get Kazarian out?" Demun asked.
Brandon shrugged. "I'll take the heat. You stay here."
Andreas had beaten the hell out of Kalos. The dungeon was covered with blood. The chain he had wrapped around his fist was dripping blood, and he'd just ripped out one of Kalos’ kidneys with his bare hands. Kalos was unable to fight back at this point, looking desperately for a way out. Andreas unwrapped the chain and wrapped it around Kalos’ throat, placing one knee on his back and pulling back, slowly and painfully choking him. Andreas was enjoying feeling the life drain slowly from Kalos, but it wasn't meant to be. Just as he felt ready to snap Kalos' head right off his shoulders, he was suddenly hit in the back with a blast of pure energy, sending him flying across the room. He looked up, his vision blurred, knowing a blast that powerful had to have come from a god. Or, in this case, a goddess. He could only make out the pitch black hair and pale skin before she and Kalos vanished.
Brandon ran in and knelt down next to his uncle. "What happened? Where's Kalos?"
"He escaped." Andreas tried to stand on his own but fell forward, being caught by his nephew. "His goddess came to help him."
"I'm guessing the goddess did this." Brandon shifted his uncle so that he could walk while only leaning on Brandon.
"Yeah, and when I find out who she is, I'm going to kick her ass personally." Andreas shifted, trying not to put too much weight on his nephew.
"I'm fine, lean on me. You need it."
Andreas grunted but did as he was told. An energy blast from a goddess was no joke.
Kazarian looked up as Brandon helped Andreas walk to where they were now. As they walked, Andreas' eyes went straight to Kazarian. Brandon stopped so that they were in front of Kazarian, and neither man's eyes left the other. Kazarian stood up so the two were eye to eye, or as close to it as they could be anyway.
"Um, guys, I hate to ruin your moment here, but how the hell are we getting home?" Demun asked. "Judging from what I see, you're in no condition to fly anywhere."
Andreas sighed but his gaze didn't leave Kazarian. "We're not leaving yet. We'll have to find somewhere to stay for the night and rough it. I can't walk, let alone transform and fly us home. Besides, we have another stop to make along the way."
"Actually, I believe I'll help out here." Jarel appeared a few feet away. "There'll be no stops tonight. Kazarian will go home with you for now."
Andreas scowled at his father. "You were watching?"
Jarel narrowed his eyes at his child. "I don't intervene unless I have to. And now that I know who is helping Kalos, you'll have all you need the next time. But it is your fault that Kalos isn't dead now. You took your sweet time and she had enough time to come rescue him because of it. The next time, you will kill him or pay the price."
Andreas glared at his father but said nothing. Jarel looked at Kazarian.
"I have news for you, straight from the lord of heaven himself. You will be allowed to remain in the mortal world as you are long enough to assist Andreas with stopping Kalos. With the heightened abilities you have now, you should be more than capable of backing him up again."
Kazarian smiled. "Thank you."
Jarel turned to the boys. "Thank you, for doing your part. I'm afraid you will have to do this again though."
Demun shrugged. "We'll back Andreas up anytime he needs it."
Jarel turned to Andreas. "Your nephews are quite fond of you. I suggest you make sure the universe stays around for that to continue. Now, let's get you all home and see to Andreas' burn."
Twenty Six
"This world is so different now," Kazarian remarked.
He stood in the kitchen looking around. Times were vastly different, not that he hadn't known before. Still, it was different to actually have a physical form again and see all the wonders of the modern age again.
"Humanity has come much farther than we foresaw at the beginning of the universe," Jarel responded, leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest.
"I'll say." Kazarian turned to Jarel. "If you don't mind me asking, why am I still here? I'm dead, so shouldn't I be returned to the Elysian Fields? The longer I stay here the more it will hurt him when I leave."
"Ares, Hades, and I made the decision to allow you to stay for a while. And apparently, the king of the gods was in agreement. My advice is to enjoy the time you have here with your soul mate." Jarel held out a small vial with golden liquid inside. "Take this and rub it across his back. It'll heal his burn."
Kazarian took the vial. "You're asking me to do it? Why?"
Jarel smirked. "Oh, come now, you can't tell me you don't want some time alone with him. You should have this moment to yourselves."
"But I can't give him what he wants."
"You think so?" Jarel's smirk widened to a full blown grin. "I'm not that harsh. What you want right now is fully possible. You are, for all intents and purposes, al
ive at this moment. The fluids are all flowing again. You can do everything you could when you were alive before, and then some."
Kazarian's eyes widened and Jarel actually laughed.
"There's far more to the story than you know right now, so just enjoy the ride." Jarel walked off, leaving Kazarian to his thoughts.
The Black Dragon God walked into his grandsons' bedroom, where Artemis and Cassandra were also waiting.
"Hmm, it would seem I owe my grandsons a bit of thanks," Jarel stated.
"For what?" Demun asked.
"For doing what you were supposed to. You got Kazarian out, and Brandon probably saved Andreas' ass. Had he not come back when he did, there's a very good chance that goddess would have killed him. And that really would’ve been a problem."
"Yes, it would have been such a drag for him to fail in his primary mission, to keep Cassandra safe," Artemis remarked.
Jarel rolled his eyes. "Yes, Artemis, it would have been quite the drag for the entire world, gods and men alike. But now it's time for us to make ourselves scarce. Andreas needs time to recover from his burn and to focus himself."
Demun snorted. "That's a nice cover for what he's really going to be doing."
Brandon and Cassandra laughed softly. Jarel also cracked a smile.
"Either way, boys, we're leaving. When your uncle is thinking straight again, we'll be back."
Andreas was lying on his stomach on his bed, unable to bear the pain of lying on his back. It had been ages since he'd been hit with a shot of energy from a god. With where his mind was, he was lucky she hadn't killed him. Honestly, he hadn't realized just how angry he'd been until he saw Kalos. Then he’d felt this surge of power, a power he knew was fueled solely by rage. He knew better than to let emotion rule him. Emotion was a bit of a problem for all dragons, but he'd thought he had it under control. He'd always been the level-headed one. But he'd never had the same attachment to any other mission.