Guardians of Rhea

by Rodriguez, Jose

  “Darek!” Leon cried, slaying any Pelasgian in his way as he desperately tried to reach his comrade.

  A Corinthian stabbed Darek in the back as another impaled him through the heart.

  “No!” Caycee screamed, as she helplessly watched her friend disintegrate into embers blown away by the wind.

  The teeth and claws of a Fenrir were just as good as any blade. Doradus slashed wildly, cutting a Satyr to ribbons. As he ran at his next victim, a Satyr threw his spear, piercing Doradus' side.

  Several more Satyrs closed in, jabbing their spears into Doradus, who yelped and howled in pain. Hurok growled in anger, knowing that one of his own had fallen.

  The Cyclopes were almost as strong as Arloff, and their clubs dealt major damage to the Promethean when they struck.

  Arloff fell back when a club whacked him hard on the head. A few Corinthians immediately joined the fray, hacking at what they could. Surrounded, Arloff fought as hard as he could before the Pelasgians' numbers overwhelmed him.

  The Eriny descended from the sky. With a single backhand, he sent Gillan sprawling to the ground. Sara and Kamala ran as fast as they could to help; everyone else was locked in fighting.

  Gillan rolled out of the way just in time when the Eriny tried to stomp him. Getting up as quick as he could with the ten-foot tall creature trying to grab him, he swung a sai into the Pelasgian's hand.

  The Eriny jerked back, screaming. He pulled the sai out and tossed it aside. Stepping toward Gillan, he suddenly screamed again as Sara's dagger struck his back leg. To his side, he spotted Kamala closing in and used his wings to knock her away.

  Sara was about to confront the Eriny when a Satyr tried flanking her.

  Kamala struggled to get up, but the Eriny closed in fast, grabbing her by the neck and lifting her off the ground.

  Gillan had climbed to the roof of a building nearby, and jumped the Eriny from behind, using his sais to impale the creature and hold on.

  Kamala used her axe to lop off the hand holding her. Landing on her feet, she was unable to get out of the way in time to avoid the Eriny's sharp claws tearing into her side, causing her to cry out in terrible pain.

  “No!” Gillan yelled, pulling a sai out and ramming it into the back of the Eriny's head. He held on as the creature stumbled a bit and fell forward. “Kamala!” he called, running to her as she lay on the ground.

  A Corinthian tried to sneak up on Sara as she battled a Satyr, but was caught by surprise himself when Leon darted by, slashing his neck. Sara knocked the Satyr down with a kick before slaying him with her equinox.

  The last Pelasgian, a Cyclops, had Rona by the neck, smashing her against a building. Caycee and Janah stabbed and slashed the Cyclops until he let go. In one jump, Rona clawed the Cyclops down the midsection, making him reel back in pain – which was short-lived thanks to an energy blast from Nedim that vaporized his head.

  “Oh, no,” Gillan said, helping Kamala to her feet.

  Sara ran to help. “How bad?”

  Blood ran from Kamala's side and mouth. With Gillan supporting her, she managed a brisk walk. “Good kill,” she gasped.

  “Don't talk,” Gillan said. “Sara, find Leon. We have to get out of here.”

  Leon was just outside the gateway looking to see if all was clear.

  Hurok picked Doradus' lifeless body up and carried him with Rona close by.

  Sara ran up to Leon. “If we're going to leave, now would be a good time.”

  “Agreed,” Leon said, looking at the group as they passed by hurriedly.

  Suddenly with no warning, a glowing, green seed-like projectile shot through Leon from the back and exited out of Sara's. The looks on their faces’ were polar opposites, calm on Leon, one of shock on Sara. Leon caught her just as she fell.

  Not knowing what happened, Nedim was stunned. “By the...”

  “Take her, fast,” Leon said, passing Sara over to Nedim, and then looking to Caycee.

  “I know the way,” Caycee said.

  As the group fled, Leon turned to the city. Standing in the middle of the street ahead was a Myrmidon.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Ivee's red eyes complemented her sinister smile. Her formfitting black outfit exposed her midsection and from the shoulders up. She had black hair that was short and spiky, and like any Pelasgian her skin was a light gray color. But it was her forearms that caught Leon's attention. By most standards, they were abnormally large. The left had two rows of three openings, faintly glowing green, facing ahead of the hand. The right had just one large opening.

  With his sword in one hand and its sheath in the other, Leon's eyes turned jet black.

  Giggling, Ivee pointed her left forearm at Leon, and from the small openings, glowing green projectiles shot out at a terrifying rate.

  Leon ran headlong into the hailstorm of Ivee's deadly seeds. Not bothering to evade, many of the seeds tore straight through him. His blood, black under the light of the Shadow Realm, splattered off his body. Moving at an unbelievable speed, he closed the distance between him and Ivee within seconds.

  If Marduk proved anything, it's that Myrmidons were just as fast as Leon. Using his sword to block Leon's inches from Ivee's face, he smirked. “It's been a long time.”

  Leon didn't have to look to know what the Myrmidon looked like – similarly young, with short hair and a leather bodysuit.

  Other Myrmidons began to emerge from, over, and around the buildings. Behind Ivee was Vela, a female with very short hair, clothing like Marduk's, and a scar that ran from her lower jaw on one side to across her eyebrow on the other.

  Behind Marduk was Xran, a tall hulking male with no hair and no shirt. His body was very angular and the entire front was scarred as if it had been badly burned. He grabbed a piece of wall and tore it from the building. In his hands it became a much harder substance as it turned into a large hammer.

  On the left was Cesni. Insect-like in appearance, he had an exoskeleton for a body. At his elbows and knees, razor sharp blades sprung towards the hands and feet.

  “You know Vela and Xran,” Marduk said. “Ivee and Cesni are new to the team, and they've been dying to meet you.”

  Just as Leon brought his sword to bear, Marduk and Ivee darted away in the blink of an eye.

  Dashing in midair, Cesni molted, copying his elbow blades and shooting them forward.

  Leon blocked the copied blades with his sword, shattering them, though a few large fragments slashed his arms halfway through. Immediately falling to the side, his useless arms rapidly healed just in time for him to block one of Cesni's deadly leg kicks.

  Cesni threw a rapid flurry of punches and kicks in succession. When Leon tried to counter, Xran was instantly on him, swinging his hammer that would shatter every bone in a normal person's body should it hit. Leon flipped over, dodging and again tried to counter.

  Marduk blocked Leon's sword. “My, you've gotten sloppy. I remember when last we met you were quite the fighter.”

  Leon was about to strike when Vela leapt through the air with him in her sights. Green energy crackled from her hands before firing in a burst. His only option was to dart away. The explosion when it hit the ground was tremendous, and so close that smoke came off Leon’s body.

  Outside, Caycee could see a brief glow from the explosion in the city.

  “We're almost there,” Nedim said to Sara, who was beginning to slip in and out of consciousness.

  Kamala choked a bit on some blood and staggered. Gillan held her tight, desperately trying to reach the portal as fast as possible.

  Appearing to glide through the air, Cesni threw a barrage of blades at Leon. The four blood glaives on Leon's clothes seemingly came to life as they took off on their own, the blades extending and spinning so fast they could cut through skin and bone like a hot knife through butter.

  Two of the glaives shattered some of Cesni's copied blades before being broken by the real ones. The other two glaives went after Marduk and Xran, who smashed the
projectiles with their weapons.

  A vine whip shot out from Ivee's right forearm, snaring one of Leon's legs. With a quick tug, she threw him off balance. Xran swung his hammer and sent Leon flying through the air.

  Leon managed to land on his feet, but found himself instantly being attacked by Cesni. He dodged the first blade, but the second severed his right hand, his sword hand. Grunting in pain, Leon did what he could with his sheath, blocking many of Cesni's attacks.

  Marduk snuck in from behind and kicked the sheath out of Leon's hand before quickly sweeping him off his feet and landing another hard kick to the midsection before Leon could even hit the ground, sending him sprawling across the street.

  Ivee jumped in like she was possessed. She had Leon's sword and brought it down with the intention of ending the fight once and for all.

  Just before the moment Leon could be done in by his own sword, Ivee was abruptly stopped in midair as the blade met with another that instantly materialized into existence in a burst of black 'ink', held by a tall, slender man in a cape and black body armor made of leather. His long, straight black hair partially covered his face.

  The Myrmidons froze in terror. “Nibiru!” Marduk said in shock.

  With little effort, Nibiru flicked his sword, causing Ivee to twist in midair.

  “No!” Ivee pleaded, as she barely blocked Nibiru's next strike that sent her screaming through the air and landing with a thud.

  “Leave,” Nibiru calmly said, with the Myrmidons doing just that. He turned to Leon. “Marduk's right. You've gotten sloppy.”

  Exhausted, Leon struggled back to his feet, cradling his wrist.

  “How do you like the new team?”

  Leon remained silent.

  “You can't win this, Leon,” Nibiru said as he walked away. “My offer still stands if you want to join me.”

  After watching Nibiru vanish in a cloud of blackness, Leon staggered his way back to the portal. Emerging on the street of a city in the Netherworld, he found Sara and Kamala lying on the ground with the others around them.

  Holding Kamala, Gillan looked up. “She's gone.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Sara barely clung to life. Leon knelt beside her. “Sara, can you hear me?” he asked, with no response. “Open her mouth,” he told Nedim.

  Nedim pinched Sara's nose and squeezed her cheeks as Leon held his bloody wrist over her mouth for several drops of blood to fall in.

  “Eww!” Janah cried.

  Leon clasped Sara's mouth, forcing her to drink the blood.

  It took a second for Sara's eyes to shoot wide open. She quickly stood up, looking around. “What happened?” she asked, poking at where the now healed wound was.

  “I had to give you some of my blood,” Leon said before rolling over on his side.

  “What?!”

  “There was no other way,” Caycee said, kneeling by Leon. She pulled a blood marble from her pocket. “Here, take this. I can't believe you didn't bring any.”

  After eating the blood marble, Leon instantly regenerated a new hand. “Thanks,” he said standing up.

  “Your blood healed me?” Sara asked.

  “Yeah,” Leon answered. “You'll also have my abilities for a short while.”

  Sara's eyes briefly turned completely black as she tested her Vesuvian powers. Looking down, she gasped with the realization Kamala had passed. “Oh, no.” she said.

  “I take it you weren't successful,” Lilith said, walking towards the group with Arloff close behind her.

  Gillan stood, angry with tears in his eyes. “In case you can't tell – we just got our asses kicked!”

  “Are you game to try again?” Lilith asked.

  “Not right now,” Leon answered. “We aren't prepared, and with the losses we took I don't think some of the group wants to go back.”

  “What do you mean? Arloff is just fine, and the friends you lost are heading this way right now,” Lilith pointed. “See?”

  Leon spotted Darek, Kamala and Doradus. “Yeah, but they're dead.”

  “So! They can still fight.”

  “Not like before!”

  Lilith sighed. “What now then?” she asked, standing nearly nose-to-nose with Leon.

  “We go back to Rhea. Sara has to go back. I can't risk losing her.”

  “Why? You love her?”

  Leon suddenly flinched in disbelief. “She has to report back to her leaders.”

  Lilith looked suspiciously at Leon. “Fine.”

  “Well, this sucks,” Doradus mildly complained.

  Hurok held his friend's shoulder. “Be proud. You fought bravely and died fighting, the way all Fenrir should.”

  “Could be worse,” Darek said. “Least now we're immortal.”

  Kamala crossed her arms. “Well I don't see it that way,” she said, tears welling in her eyes upon seeing her lifeless body. “I have a family back home. My husband is going to be furious!”

  “Kamala, I am so sorry,” said Sara.

  Gillan took hold of Kamala's hand. “Don't worry, they'll understand. We all knew this could happen.”

  Kamala hugged Gillan tightly.

  “Looks like everyone's here,” Leon said.

  Darek waved. “Oy! Thanks for gettin’ my back, Leon!”

  Several of the people around laughed.

  “Sorry, bud.”

  Darek playfully hit Leon's arm. “You know I'm kiddin’.”

  Leon noticed Kamala was depressed. “I know it's a stupid question, but are you going to be alright?” he asked.

  “I'll be fine,” Kamala said, fighting back tears. Leon shook hands with her and nodded.

  Stig suddenly came through the portal. “I did it!”

  “It will be safe in our city,” Arloff said to Leon. “The fighting has stopped.”

  “The Fenrir are still there,” Stig said. “But they won't attack. That's the best I could do.”

  “Even if they attack, they'll answer to me,” Hurok said.

  Sara asked. “Why not open a portal near Vesuvia, or another city?”

  “Because I don’t know what's on the other side,” Lilith answered. “Usually that's not a problem, but since you're not dead I wouldn't recommend it.”

  “I see.”

  “Leon,” Lilith called. “I can hold out for some time, but don't keep me waiting.”

  “Speaking of time, what time is it in Rhea?” Caycee asked.

  Stig shrugged. “The sun was just setting when I left.”

  Leon looked to Sara. “Ready?”

  Everyone, alive, passed through the portal to the Promethean capital. Several Fenrir and Prometheans were just cleaning or hanging around.

  “Janah and I will go back to Hegira.” Nedim said. “My people will likely send emissaries to help organize some counterattack. Farewell.”

  “See you later,” Leon said. “Gillan, you coming?”

  “No,” Gillan answered. “My people need to know what happened as well. I just hate having to go alone.”

  “I'll go with you,” Caycee said. “I've never seen Khothu before.”

  Gillan was relieved. “Thanks.”

  “I am going to gather the packs,” Hurok said. “The Fenrir will help fight the Pelasgians.”

  “Sounds good. If you can, send someone to Vesuvia to let them know,” Leon said, then turning to Sara. “It'll be easier if we go straight to New Haven from here.”

  Sara held her hand out. “Lead the way.”

  ****

  In the Shadow Realm, the Myrmidons gathered in a half-ruined building with only a large chair in the middle. Eris flew in from an opening in the roof.

  Cesni looked angrily to Ivee. “You're in big trouble.”

  “Shut up!” Ivee said, pushing Cesni away.

  “Stop!” Marduk ordered.

  Vela turned to the doorway. “He's here.”

  Nibiru stepped in, standing there for a moment before instantly grabbing Ivee by the neck and lifting her off the ground. �
�Let me remind you that being a Myrmidon means following my command without question. Next time I will rip you apart!” he said, tossing Ivee aside.

  The Myrmidons cowered, lowering their heads in disgrace, except for Eris.

  “My lovely, Eris.” Nibiru said, gently caressing her cheek with his hand. “It seems our Rhean friends may be on to you. We must be more careful.”

  Nibiru sat in the chair, resting his head on one hand, contemplating what had happened.

  Marduk rushed to the chair and knelt. “Nibiru, I beg you, even you said Leon isn't the warrior he once was-”

  Nibiru interrupted. “You seem to forget that you've only fought Leon as a team. I need Leon to join us, but like all of you, he must join willingly. His power will make us stronger.”

  Marduk backed away. “Yes, of course.”

  “In time, my friend. All in due time,” Nibiru said, his laughter echoing through the building.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Beyond the Promethean capital was a small shack in the middle of a sparse forest.

  “Vesuvian outpost?” Sara asked.

  “Yes,” Leon answered. “But no Vesuvians.”

  They cautiously approached the outpost.

  “Doors open,” Sara noticed.

  Leon entered the shack with Sara close behind. “No sign of a struggle,” he said.

  “You think they could be hiding?”

  “No, I would've found them by now. They may have ran off for blood, but that's unlikely,” Leon said, looking around. “We'll rest up here for a few hours.”

  “Thank goodness,” Sara said, taking her gear off and stretching out on a bed. “Leon, I didn't see any humans in the Netherworld, and I don't suppose I would, but...do you know what happens to us?”

  “Sorry,” Leon answered, sitting on a bed across the room. “I have no idea. Lilith might know, but she'll never tell. I don't think she can. To be honest, I did ask her once and all she did was smile.”

  Both sat silent for several seconds. Sara could see that Leon had something to say.