Chapter 41
The island looked peaceful enough from a distance, the ship came out of the tunnel at a pretty good distance like it knew to keep them away from the sirens which Vasos was glad for. He still wasn’t sure how they were going to get the armor from the sirens or even how they would get to the island without crashing into the rocks from hearing their song. He figured that maybe he could have them put wax in their ears the way Odysseus and his men had. Then they could reach the shore and take out the sirens giving them plenty of time to search for the armor but all that changed when the golden bird showed back up. After listening to Kol’s message Vasos couldn’t help but slump his shoulders in defeat a little bit.
“So that’s it, we’re facing an island full of monsters.” Notes Vasos.
“So then what’s the plan?” Sander questions.
“We deal with one thing at a time, first we put the wax in our ears and take care of the sirens then we’ll deal with the monsters.”
The group of them grab some wax and stuff their ears the best they can before Vasos heads to the helm ordering the ship to take them to the shore.
Speedily the ship sails to the shore, at first everything seems to be going great until both Sander and Talis jump over the side of the ship swimming franticly towards the three haggish women. Vasos puts up his hands signaling Sevrrir to stay on the ship then, with the biggest jump he can muster he sails off of the ship landing in the surf just in front of his friends who are still swimming towards their deaths.
The blood red eyes of the women bore into him out from under the green colored ratty hair; their sharp brown fangs are dripping yellow saliva to the ground as they lick their lips at the feast to come. Other than that, their bodies are perfect and scantly covered. For a moment Vasos can’t help but wonder what their song sounds like and little by little he gives into the temptation pulling the wax from his ears.
To his surprise the song sounds horrid to him; it doesn’t draw him in or make him yearn to come any closer. He doesn’t have time to think about it for long before his two friend come running out of the water straight towards the sirens with their arms spread.
“Stop!” He demands pouring every bit of power he has into his own siren call.
Abruptly they come to a halt turning towards him.
“Come to us, we are the ones you have been waiting for.” The sirens speak in unison.
Again they start to walk towards the creatures but once again Vasos counters their power.
“Don’t not listen to them; you will not listen to them. Not now, not ever! Now get back to the ship!” With one quick move Talis picks up Sander putting him on his back and running to the ship at an unnaturally fast speed.
“You’ve only delayed their deaths demigod.” Sneers one of the sirens.
“Quiet!” Vasos demands.
To his surprise instantly they stop the singing.
“You are mine to control.” He tries experimentally.
Visibly he can tell that they are fighting to remain in control and keep their free will.
“Say it! Pledge yourself to me completely! I command you!” He demands more instantly.
Finally they give in. “We are yours to command my lord.”
“Good, tell me where is the armor of Achilles?”
“He wears it.”
“Who?”
“The lord of this island, Argus Panoptes the hundred eyed giant that is feared by all.” They answer in unison.
“How many monsters are on the island?” He questions unfazed by who has the armor.
“Dozens my lord.”
“Then I command you to go forth and kill as many of them as you can.” Smiles Vasos evilly.
Hesitantly they bow heading into the interior of the island, after they are gone Vasos jumps into the water swimming back to the ship.
“Hey there lover boys are you feeling better now?”
“What?” They question in unison because of the wax in their ears.
Miming for them to take the wax out of their ears Vasos waits patiently. “I said are you lover boys feeling better?”
“How did you resist the song?” Talis asks with some respect.
“I’m not sure, it just didn’t affect me for some reason but that’s not even the amazing part, the truly marvelous thing is I was able to bring them under my command and send them to kill as many monsters as they can.” He gleefully pronounces.
“Alright now all we have to do is find the armor, steal it and get back to the ship.” Sevrrir says.
“The sirens said that Argus Panoptes is wearing it but I don’t know how that is even possible, he’s about ten times the size of Achilles.”
“The armor is magical, it changes to fit the wearer.” Answers Talis. “This does not bode well for us the armor is said to be indestructible, that will give you very little places to attack.”
“How will you even get close to him? He’ll see you coming a mile away.” Sander muses.
“I have an idea about what we will do, first Sevrrir and Talis will wonder into his camp, they will assume that both of you have returned from Tartarus to join them. In fact he’ll probably demand that you join. Once that happens Sander and I will sneak in and challenge him to a fight, when he accepts and all attention is on us you will both surprise attack his people, Sander you join you and I will handle Argus.”
“Suicidal, I like it.” Sander grins taking a huge drink.
“I will enjoy this.” Talis smiles. “Shall we Sevrrir?”
“We will give you guys half a day to in grace yourselves with them, in the meantime Sander and I will send the message to Kol.”
“See you soon.” Sevrrir sighs jumping onto Talis back with his permission. “Don’t be late you drunken fool.”
“Don’t worry kitty cat I’ll come save you like usual.”
“We’ll be ready Vasos.” Sevrrir says ignoring Sander.
“I don’t think I heard you correctly Sevrrir, what did you say?”
Rolling his eyes Sevrrir sighs. “We’ll be ready oh great king of the world.”
“That’s more like it.” Laughs Vasos.
“I hate you.” Sevrrir says as they jump over the ship railing and head to the shore.
“I miss him already.” Sniffs Sander.
“Well the heart wants what the heart wants and I’m sure that one day to two will sail off into the sunset happily ever after.” Vasos smiles pressing the button.
“Well Kol we have a plan, we’re sending Sevrrir and Talis in undercover. Wait did I even tell you about Talis? I don’t think I did, quick note Talis is an Ipotane that I saved from enslavement at the hands of Chrysaor, he has joined us on our quest and is already a great friend. Anyhow they will ingratiate themselves with a hundred eyed giant named Argus Panoptes, then we’ll go in and I will challenge him to a single combat match. While I’m fighting him the others will take his followers by surprise. Wish us luck buddy we’re really going to need it on this one. If we finish quickly we will speed to your aid, good luck my friend.”
“Honestly Vasos do you really think we can do this?” Sander questions sadly.
“Honestly Sander? No, with that many monsters we don’t have much of a chance. Our powers won’t work on all of them, that’s why I hope you will understand what I’m about to do.”
Before Sander knows it Vasos has him by the throat and with the most powerful hit he can muster knocks him out.
“I’m sorry little brother but on this one I have to do things alone, don’t worry I’ll make sure the others are safe and survive.”
Glumly Vasos ties Sander to the mast, then walking back to the railing he stares back at the island. “So this is what it comes down to. Mother if you can hear me I need your guidance.”
“I am always listening for your voice my son, it has taken a little too long for you to ask for my help.” Aphrodite smiles hugging him close.
“You aren’t allowed to help me during this quest mother, I called to you because I wanted to hu
g you and tell you I love you. Also, I have to ask you do you know what the secret is that has been hidden from Kol and I?”
“Son you and Kol must forget what you have heard, it is not safe for you to be speaking of such things, now let us speak of your plan, there is no need for you to sacrifice yourself. Your friends are here for you, to help you, something both you and Kol must learn is that you cannot just take the responsibility of everything alone.” She scolds slightly.
“We bear the burden of the quests and the family we have come to love attached to them.”
“Maybe but that does not mean you are alone, allow your friends to help you my son and remember what I said, you get that stubbornness from your father. Let’s hope that you can beat the odds the way he could.” She says hugging him one last time before separating into a bunch of doves that fly off.
“Who’s my father?!” He yells but it’s too late she’s already gone.
Immortals Children Of The Gods Page 41